Illinois bans microbeads in cosmetics and soaps

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a law he says makes Illinois the first state nationwide to ban products containing so-called microbeads.

Synthetic plastic microbeads are found in soaps and cosmetics and billed as a way to exfoliate. But experts have raised concerns of plastic pollution in waterways.

The new Illinois law seeks to prohibit the manufacture of such products by 2018’s end and sale of such products by the end of 2019. Quinn signed the legislation Sunday.

Lawmakers in other states, including New York and California, are considering similar bans.

In a statement, Quinn says the Illinois law will help safeguard Lake Michigan. However, critics have expressed concerns about the long rollout of the new law.

ASSOCIATED PRESS