Melamine sponges, which seem like a savior to us, are actually microplastic shedders when worn out. According to recent research, melamine sponges release microplastics, more than a trillion microplastic fibers every month.
Researchers studied how the density and roughness of a melamine sponge surface get affected and break down. They also researched how quickly foam breaks and how many microplastic fibers are shed by the sponge.
Highlights
- Several sponges from 3 popular brands were rubbed against metal surfaces to cause the foam to wear down.
- Sponges made from denser foam wore down slower than others, releasing fewer microplastic fibers.
- A single sponge releases around 6.5 million fibers per gram.
- On average, all sponges wore down by 10%.
- Assuming the sale of sponges in a month, researchers concluded that 1.55 trillion fibers are possibly released every month.
- This ratio is from the sponge sales of one retailer only, and as a whole, the numbers could be way higher.
What is Melamine Foam?
It is a material made from poly (melamine-formaldehyde) polymer. It is a network of hard, plastic strands assembled into a lightweight and soft foam. This foam is abrasive, which makes it the perfect material for making scrubby sponges.
Effect on Environment
These microfibers enter the sewage system and once released into the environment, they come into contact with wildlife. It either affects their lifestyle or gets mixed with their food chain and they consume it.
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Conclusions
After clarifying that melamine sponges release microplastics, researchers suggest manufacturing denser and tougher sponges, which are more resistant to wear and tear. Also, consumers should take natural cleaning products with no plastic content. To capture sloughed-off microplastic fibers at home and in wastewater treatment plants, proper filtration systems should be installed.