The Vermont House has endorsed a measure to ban so-called microbeads from personal-care products sold in the state.
The tiny plastic particles are used to make some soaps, toothpastes and some over-the-counter drugs more abrasive. But environmentalists say they pose a threat to water quality, marine life and possibly to human health.
Microbeads are blamed for attracting and becoming a vehicle for toxic chemicals in water. One concern is that they then can be eaten by fish that are later eaten by humans.
A bill given preliminary approval on Tuesday would ban the sale of personal care products containing microbeads beginning at the end of 2018, and in over-the-counter drugs in late 2019.
The bill is expected to get final House passage on Wednesday before going to the Senate.
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