A New Orleans man is pushing for an end to beads at Mardi Gras parades.

Aaron Viles, one of the people behind the petition wants to ban the use of beads during Mardi Gras season. Viles says 46 tons of beads get trapped in city catch basins after the parades each year.  He understands this effort won't be popular, but the petition already has nearly 15,000 signatures.

Viles tells WDSU: "the idea that a Mardi Gras throw is making our city more vulnerable just really outraged me. I think, like many I was amazed by the headline that 46 tons of beads were found in catch basins along St. Charles Avenue. It's a serious problem."

The petition says

Mardi Gras beads have been analyzed and found to contain toxic levels of lead, bromine, arsenic, phthalate plasticizers, halogens, cadmium, chromium, mercury and chlorine. Which then end up steeping a toxic tea in our storm drains. Yuck," the petition says.

The petition calls for an end to the beads until a biodegradable, water soluble solution is found.

Right now, the petition only focuses on parades in the New Orleans area, but who knows if this could spread to other parades across the state.

Click here to read more about the petition.

 

 

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