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Letter: Dirty cleaners

Published 29 May 2004

From Neil Sanderson

While reading the article “Rising tide of micro-plastics plaguing the seas” in New Scientist’s online news (4 May), I wondered whether the researchers realise that many hand-cleaners produced for the motor trade and other industries include polymer granules to act as an abrasive to get the dirt off. This mixture is rinsed off and ends up in the sewage system and, most often, is then dumped or piped into the ocean. Could this be one of the sources of the micro-plastics?

Glasgow, UK

Issue no. 2449 published 29 May 2004

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