Surfactants down the Drain

This article reports on the findings of recent experiments that common surfactants, used in everyday life, do not pose a negative risk to the environment. The surfactants the researchers investigated were those that have the ability to dissolve fat and be water soluble, due to their hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail. The hydrophobic tails dissolve fat while we use it and the hydrophilic heads make sure the fat is washed away in water. Based on multiple experiments, it was found that once these surfactants have been through a proper treatment plan, there is minimal risk to the environment because they degrade so quickly.

It is important to know what is happening to the substances we use everyday. Those that go into our wastewater need to be filtered properly at the treatment plants. Therefore, we can be sure they are not harming aquatic environments.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141003135742.htm

Submitted by Mercedes Warren