Common cleaning sponge found to release trillions of microplastic fibers
4 hours ago
- Melamine cleaning sponges release tiny plastic fibers as they wear down during use.
- Over a trillion microplastic fibers may be released globally every month from these sponges.
- The sponges are made of poly(melamine-formaldehyde) polymer with an abrasive, sandpaper-like structure.
- Study tested sponges from three brands and found denser sponges release fewer microplastic fibers.
- A single sponge can shed about 6.5 million fibers per gram of material lost.
- Estimated global release is around 1.55 trillion fibers per month based on Amazon sales data.
- Reducing pollution could involve making denser sponges, using natural alternatives, or improving filtration.