UPSC Prelims 2019 GS Paper I · Q30 of 100 Environment & Ecology easy

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

  1. (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems. ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
  3. (c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
  4. (d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Why the answer is (a)

• Microbeads are tiny plastic particles (<1 mm) added to face scrubs, toothpaste and cosmetics as exfoliants.

• They pass through sewage treatment into rivers and seas, where they are eaten by plankton, fish and shellfish, absorb toxic pollutants and move up the food chain — hence the concern for marine ecosystems, option (a).

• Countries including the US (2015), UK and India (BIS standards, 2020) have moved to ban them.

• They are not linked to childhood skin cancer (b), crop uptake (c) or food adulteration (d).

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
No link to childhood skin cancer is established.
(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
Microbeads are not absorbed by crop plants.
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
They are not used as food adulterants.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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