Scientists talked about the release of microplastics from kitchen sponges when washing dishes

Researchers at the University of Bonn have found that ordinary kitchen sponges release a measurable amount of microplastic particles during washing dishes, but the main environmental damage from hand washing is not related to plastic, but to water consumption. This was reported on June 1 in the journal Science Daily.

To obtain more accurate results, the researchers combined laboratory experiments with observations in real conditions. The study participants from Germany and North America used three types of kitchen sponges for several weeks and recorded the intensity of their use. In the laboratory, an automated SpongeBot installation reproduced a similar load.

Before and after use, the scientists weighed the sponges, and the weight loss was translated into the volume of the released microplastics. Calculations have shown that, depending on the type of product, one person annually accounts for from 0.68 to 4.21 g of microplastic emissions. At the same time, sponges with a lower plastic content released noticeably fewer microparticles.

Despite the fact that the scale of pollution at the individual household level seems insignificant, the overall effect turned out to be significant. Sewage treatment plants capture most of the particles, but several tons per year still end up in rivers, lakes, seas and soil. At the same time, the life cycle assessment showed that from 85 to 97% of the total environmental damage from hand washing is caused by water consumption, not microplastics.

The authors identified three practical steps to reduce the environmental burden: saving water when washing as the most effective measure, choosing sponges with a low plastic content, and extending the service life of each sponge.

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What possible health threats will the scientists' development prevent?

On February 3, Science Daily reported the discovery of large amounts of microplastics in fish living in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean. It was clarified that microplastics contain about a third of the total number of fish in Pacific island countries. The highest rate was recorded in the Fiji region.