Bay Harbour: July 06, 2022

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winter SALE NOW ON! Selected items in store & online. Ends 18.07.22. Create your hibernation haven... Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Renew Boxed Queen Mattress WAS $ 999 NOW $ 749 Eco-Friendly Seaqual Fabric Boxed for Convenience Wednesday <strong>July</strong> 6 <strong>2022</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Harbour</strong> News Zest 7 Piece Dining Set WAS $ 1589 NOW $ 1249 NEWS 11 Microplastics hiding in everyday products HOUSEHOLD items that seem benign are some of the most common sources of microplastics, a Canterbury University PhD student has found. Clothing and soft furnishings, glitter, kitchen sponges, nail polish, sunscreen, mascara, and lipsticks are bursting with what Helena Ruffell calls ‘sneaky plastics.’ Ruffell began researching microplastics – plastic particles smaller than 5mm – for her master’s project by investigating the levels and types going into and out of wastewater treatment plants. She is now researching how microplastics impact the health and function of New Zealand soils, and how they get into the soils in the first place. “Unfortunately, microplastics are everywhere, including in places you wouldn’t expect. I’ve found microplastics in every single sample I’ve looked at,” she said. “When we think of plastic, we tend to think of a rigid shiny product like a drink bottle. A lot of the time we don’t realise that microplastics are lurking in a myriad of other everyday items. “For instance, I hadn’t realised that glitter is made from plastic. And we all know how incredibly hard it is to get rid of it and how easily it can rub off toys, clothing, art work, makeup, nail polish and remain on clothing, carpets and other surfaces for a long time. Makeup, nail polishes and glitter paints for hair and body are all washed down the drain during hand washing and showers or baths and into the wastewater treatment plants, and are eventually released into the environment. “A lot of our clothing and soft furnishings, for example blankets, cushions, curtains, and carpet, are actually made of plastic. These synthetics all continually shed microfibres and this is accelerated when we wash them. Then the water from the washing machine goes down the drain and eventually out into the environment.” The quantity of microplastics in each wastewater sample took Ruffell by surprise. “I thought the likelihood of finding any plastics in the wastewater treatment plants would be very low because of the sheer volume of water that’s there. I was wrong. Some samples are so full of microplastics it looks like someone sprinkled hundred and thousands over them. “And I’m continuing to find lots of microbeads even though they were banned for sale in personal care products in 2018. But they are clearly still being used RESEARCH: The amount of microplastics in each wastewater sample took UC PhD student Helena Ruffell by surprise. or are found in other products,” she said. As part of her PhD research, Ruffell is collecting samples of different soils and biowastes that are commonly applied onto soils and may be sources of microplastics – for instance, compost, biosolids (dried sewage sludge) and pasture irrigated with treated municipal effluent. “I’m identifying how many microplastics are present in each sample type, and what kinds of plastic polymers are present, such as polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, or nylon. I am also investigating if there are any impacts of different kinds of What can you do to combat sneaky plastics? •Replace plastic kitchen sponges with a cotton cloth, wooden or sisal dish brush •Wash clothes less frequently or spot wash •When buying new items, choose natural fibres for clothes, carpets and blankets where possible •Cut down on glitter •Check makeup for microplastics •Ask companies if they use microbeads in products like sunscreen and cleaning liquids plastics on soil health and plant growth,” Ruffell said. Supervisor Professor Sally Gaw said Ruffell’s project is important as it highlights how everyday products contribute to microplastic pollution and identifies changes we can all easily make. Ruffell’s PhD work is part of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment funded Endeavour Research Programme: Aotearoa Impacts and Mitigation of Microplastics led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, and her master’s research was funded by ESR and the Brian Mason Trust. Capri Outdoor 3 Seater WAS $ 1999 NOW $ 1499 Perry Barstool NOW $ 129 Dallas Queen Bed – Oatmeal NOW $ 349 Koko Rocking Chair – Blush NOW $ 479 Larvik Entertainment Unit – W190 NOW $ 699 Elyse 3 Seater – Steel WAS $ 1599 NOW $ 1299 Scan to find store with GEM 24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE * 250 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch 0800 TARGET (0800 827438) Minimum purchase $250. Equal monthly payments required. Offer ends 18/07/<strong>2022</strong>. *T&Cs & fees apply incl. a $55 Gem Visa estb. Fee & annual fees ($52 Gem Visa/$50 Gem Creditline). Interest rate (currently Gem Visa 25.99% p.a./Gem Creditline 29.95% p.a.) applies after interest free term ends. 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