Dissolving Microplastics
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Science Concept & Application
The experiment on extracting microplastics from face washes revealed the presence of these tiny pollutants in common personal care products. Using a six-step process, microplastics were detected in two different cleansers, with varying results across four trials. The first and third attempts yielded small orange and black particles, along with a strange white powder, while the second trial using a tech cloth filter produced no visible microplastics. The fourth trial, which involved a different face wash, revealed fewer microplastic particles. The changes in water color during filtration also provided insights into the composition of these contaminants.
The extraction process involved dissolving a spoonful of face wash in warm water before filtering the solution through a coffee filter placed in a funnel. After filtration, the coffee filter was examined for microplastic particles. The experiment's results varied, with some trials producing visible microplastics and others yielding none, possibly due to differences in filtration methods or cleanser composition. Additionally, the changes in water color, from light blue to clear and bright yellow to pale yellow, suggested the presence of additional substances beyond just microplastics. This investigation highlights the presence of synthetic microplastics in everyday skincare products and underscores the need for further research. The inconsistent results across trials indicate the complexity of detecting and measuring these pollutants. As plastic pollution remains a growing concern, studies like this raise awareness about the hidden dangers of microplastics and emphasize the importance of reducing their use in consumer goods to promote environmental sustainability. |
Career
Microplastics have sprouted as a growing concern for scientists and policymakers. As an emerging field of study within STEM, research into microplastics offers an impactful career choice. Microplastic scientists and researchers work to understand the sources, distribution, and impacts of this pollutant.
By pursuing a career in this field, you may contribute to the development of many new policies, technologies, and strategies to decrease the amount of harmful effects microplastics have on marine ecosystems, human health, and the sustainability of our planet. Microplastics are very pervasive in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. They have been detected in multiple tissues, and organs of the human body, with emerging evidence of potential effects. This unfolding scientific evidence is leading to policy outcomes that include national-level regulations, such as the prohibition of microplastics in cosmetics by multiple countries. Scientist
Dr. Sherri Mason is a renowned environmental scientist who has dedicated her career to studying the impact of plastic pollution. As a Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Fredonia, Dr. Mason has led groundbreaking research on the prevalence of microplastics in the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater system, and has advocated for comprehensive solutions to this ecological crisis.
Dr. Sherri Mason has made significant strides in understanding the environmental impact of these horrid pollutants. Through her work, she has illuminated the prevalence of microplastics in our waterways, their potential threats to aquatic ecosystems, and their broader implications for human health. As a passionate environmental advocate, Dr. Mason has leveraged her research to drive awareness and inspire action, working tirelessly to address this global challenge. |
Essay
The experiment I conducted on extracting microplastics from various face washes was a fascinating exploration into the hidden world of these tiny pollutants. By carefully following a six-step process, I uncovered the presence of these microscopic plastic particles in two different cleansers. Interestingly, the results varied across four trials, with the first and third attempts yielding small dots of orange and black microplastics and a strange white power. In contrast, the second trial using a tech cloth filter produced no visible microplastics, while the fourth trial with a different face wash revealed a smaller amount of black and orange particles. The color changes observed in the filtered water, from light blue to clear and bright yellow to pale yellow, also provided valuable insights into the potential composition and concentration of these microplastics. This experimental investigation has shed light on the presence of these synthetic materials in common personal care products, opening up further avenues for research and discussion on the broader environmental implications of microplastics.
The experiment to extract microplastics from face wash involved a six-step process. First, a spoonful of the face wash was placed on top of a bowl. Warm water was then poured over the top to rinse the cleanser off the spoon gently into the bowl, where it was then stirred until dissolved. Next, a filter system was set up by placing a coffee filter into a funnel, which was then placed over a second bowl. The cleanser-infused was poured through the filter softly by using a spoon. After all the water had been filtered through, the coffee filter was examined for the presence of microplastics. The experiment was conducted four times, with varying results. On the first attempt, small dots of orange and black microplastics, as well as a strange white powder, were found. The second try using a tech cloth filter yielded no results, while the third attempt with a white coffee filter produced a smaller amount of orange and black microplastics. The fourth trial, using a different face wash, found fewer microplastics than the previous cleansers. An observation made was that the first face wash-water mixture was light blue and faded to almost clear after filtering, while the second mixture was bright yellow and became a pale yellow after filtering.
In the first trial, I used the original brown coffee filter to capture the contents of the cleanser-infused water. After carefully pouring the mixture through the filter, I observed the presence of small orange and black microplastics, as well as a puzzling white powder. The cleanser-infused liquid transitioned from a light blue hue to a near-clear appearance, indicating that the filtration process had effectively separated the solid particles from the water. This initial experiment provided valuable insights into the composition of the face wash and the potential microplastic contamination present.
After discovering microplastics in the previous trial, I decided to switch to a different filtration method for the second trial. Instead of using a standard coffee filter, I opted for a tech cloth “filter” to see if it would yield any different results. To my surprise, after carefully following the same steps as before, I found no visible microplastics on the tech cloth. The tech cloth filter seemed unable to capture any small particles that may have been present in the cleanser-infused water. This suggested that the coffee filter I used initially had been a lot more successful in letting any particles not slip through the filter and into the water below. The change in filtration technique appeared to make a significant difference in the final results.
The third trial of the experiment involved switching to a white coffee filter. This change resulted in a smaller amount of orange and black microplastics being pulled from the facial cleanser-infused water. The use of the white filter, rather than the brown one, seemed to improve the visibility and collection of the microplastic particles. The observation that the filtered water transitioned from a light blue to an almost clear color, as well as the bright yellow to pale yellow change in the second facial cleanser mixture, provided additional insights into the contents and filtration process.
For the fourth trial, I decided to use a different facial cleanser to see if the results would vary. This time, I found fewer microplastics compared to the previous trials with the original cleanser. The microplastics I observed were primarily black and orange in color. An interesting observation was that the color of the filtered water differed from the previous tests - the initial cleanser-water mixture was a bright sunny yellow that faded into a pale yellow after filtration. These findings suggest that the type of cleanser used can impact the amount and characteristics of the microplastics present, likely due to variations in the product formulations.
The discovery of microplastics in common facial cleansers is a concerning finding, as these microscopic plastic particles pose significant environmental and health risks. Microplastics are known to accumulate toxins and can be ingested by Marine life, entering the food chain. Once in the environment, they can take hundreds of years to break down, persisting and continuing to pollute ecosystems. Additionally, there is growing evidence that microplastics may be harmful to human health, as they have been found in drinking water, seafood, and even human stool samples.
This experimental investigation into extracting microplastics from facial cleansers has shed light on the presence of these synthetic materials in common personal care products. The varying results across multiple trials highlight the need for further research to fully understand the extent of microplastic contamination in consumer goods. As our society continues to grapple with the growing plastic pollution crisis, studies like this one are crucial in raising awareness and driving action to address this environmental threat. By understanding the dangers of microplastics and working to eliminate their use in products, we can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.
The experiment to extract microplastics from face wash involved a six-step process. First, a spoonful of the face wash was placed on top of a bowl. Warm water was then poured over the top to rinse the cleanser off the spoon gently into the bowl, where it was then stirred until dissolved. Next, a filter system was set up by placing a coffee filter into a funnel, which was then placed over a second bowl. The cleanser-infused was poured through the filter softly by using a spoon. After all the water had been filtered through, the coffee filter was examined for the presence of microplastics. The experiment was conducted four times, with varying results. On the first attempt, small dots of orange and black microplastics, as well as a strange white powder, were found. The second try using a tech cloth filter yielded no results, while the third attempt with a white coffee filter produced a smaller amount of orange and black microplastics. The fourth trial, using a different face wash, found fewer microplastics than the previous cleansers. An observation made was that the first face wash-water mixture was light blue and faded to almost clear after filtering, while the second mixture was bright yellow and became a pale yellow after filtering.
In the first trial, I used the original brown coffee filter to capture the contents of the cleanser-infused water. After carefully pouring the mixture through the filter, I observed the presence of small orange and black microplastics, as well as a puzzling white powder. The cleanser-infused liquid transitioned from a light blue hue to a near-clear appearance, indicating that the filtration process had effectively separated the solid particles from the water. This initial experiment provided valuable insights into the composition of the face wash and the potential microplastic contamination present.
After discovering microplastics in the previous trial, I decided to switch to a different filtration method for the second trial. Instead of using a standard coffee filter, I opted for a tech cloth “filter” to see if it would yield any different results. To my surprise, after carefully following the same steps as before, I found no visible microplastics on the tech cloth. The tech cloth filter seemed unable to capture any small particles that may have been present in the cleanser-infused water. This suggested that the coffee filter I used initially had been a lot more successful in letting any particles not slip through the filter and into the water below. The change in filtration technique appeared to make a significant difference in the final results.
The third trial of the experiment involved switching to a white coffee filter. This change resulted in a smaller amount of orange and black microplastics being pulled from the facial cleanser-infused water. The use of the white filter, rather than the brown one, seemed to improve the visibility and collection of the microplastic particles. The observation that the filtered water transitioned from a light blue to an almost clear color, as well as the bright yellow to pale yellow change in the second facial cleanser mixture, provided additional insights into the contents and filtration process.
For the fourth trial, I decided to use a different facial cleanser to see if the results would vary. This time, I found fewer microplastics compared to the previous trials with the original cleanser. The microplastics I observed were primarily black and orange in color. An interesting observation was that the color of the filtered water differed from the previous tests - the initial cleanser-water mixture was a bright sunny yellow that faded into a pale yellow after filtration. These findings suggest that the type of cleanser used can impact the amount and characteristics of the microplastics present, likely due to variations in the product formulations.
The discovery of microplastics in common facial cleansers is a concerning finding, as these microscopic plastic particles pose significant environmental and health risks. Microplastics are known to accumulate toxins and can be ingested by Marine life, entering the food chain. Once in the environment, they can take hundreds of years to break down, persisting and continuing to pollute ecosystems. Additionally, there is growing evidence that microplastics may be harmful to human health, as they have been found in drinking water, seafood, and even human stool samples.
This experimental investigation into extracting microplastics from facial cleansers has shed light on the presence of these synthetic materials in common personal care products. The varying results across multiple trials highlight the need for further research to fully understand the extent of microplastic contamination in consumer goods. As our society continues to grapple with the growing plastic pollution crisis, studies like this one are crucial in raising awareness and driving action to address this environmental threat. By understanding the dangers of microplastics and working to eliminate their use in products, we can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.
