North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik says she is glad the House of Representatives passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 on Monday.

The bill was co-sponsored by Stefanik, R-Willsboro, andaims to prohibit the sale or distribution of cosmetics containing synthetic plastic microbeads, was approved in the House.

“When I travel throughout the North Country, one of the frequent environmental concerns I hear about from residents around our district is about the concern of microbeads,” said Stefanik.

“These plastic microbeads often end up polluting waters -- including the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario -- because many waste water treatment plants cannot screen them,” she said.

“This has been an issue that I have heard from in my meetings with Save the River and with the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages just this weekend. I am pleased to help the House pass this important measure today and urge the Senate to quickly follow suit and send this to the President’s desk without delay.”