Australian scientists from the University of Melbourne, with the participation of British colleagues from the University of Cambridge, have developed environmentally friendly glitter that is used in cosmetics, clothing and for decorative purposes. The study was published in the scientific journal Chemoshere.
As previous studies have shown, sparkles, or glitter, remain one of the significant sources of microplastic pollution in nature. Glitter accounts for up to 24% of plastic microparticles found in sewage sludge.
Glitter is difficult to remove from the environment due to its tiny size. In addition to plastic, they often also contain metallic inclusions made of non-ferrous aluminum.
In the new work, the team created a cellulose nanocrystal that reflects light well and degrades under natural conditions.
To assess the potential toxicity of their development, the scientists conducted an experiment on the small soil invertebrate Folsomia candida.
Tests showed that cellulose bioglitter had no effect on folsomia. At the same time, soil contamination with ordinary shines at a concentration of 1 gram per kilogram of soil reduced the reproduction of these organisms by 61%.
The researchers recommended limiting the use of conventional plastic-based glitter if possible until affordable, environmentally friendly alternatives become available.
