US Senate approves bill against microbeads

WASHINGTON — As it departed for its holiday break, the U.S. Senate approved a measure to phase out the manufacture and use of miniscule synthetic particles known as microbeads used in cosmetics and personal care products which are considered an environmental threat to the food chain in the Great Lakes and other waterways.

The Senate passed the legislation on a voice vote Friday. Last week, the U.S. House approved the legislation, which U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, helped shepherd through the Energy and Commerce Committee, which he chairs.