A researcher has called for microbeads to be banned in products sold in New Zealand after a study found shores here had similar amounts to those overseas.
The study by University of Canterbury PHD student Phil Clunies-Ross found the highest concentrations of microplastics on exposed beaches close to urban areas.
Microplastics, which are less than five-millimetres in size, are found in products like toothpaste and facial scrubs.
He said other countries have banned microbeads, and New Zealand should follow suit.
