Dish Detergent Research Articles

Preparation of blast furnace dust particle electrodes and their application in synergistic electrochemical degradation of saline polyvinyl alcohol wastewater

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been widely used as a water-soluble plastic in laundry and dish detergent pods, yet wastewater contaminated with PVA is too difficult to be treated due to its high salinity and foaming. Here, we fabricated blast furnace dust (BFD) particle electrodes, and developed a three-dimensional electrocatalytic system (3DEC) to treat saline PVA wastewater. The optimum preparation condition for BFD particle electrode was iron carbon ratio of 2:1 doping with TiO2. The optimal parameters of 3DECs for PVA wastewater degradation were thoroughly investigated, with current density of 30 mA/cm2, electrode distance of 30 mm, pH value of 7.0, and particle electrode filling rate of 50%. PVA wastewater degradation rate could reach 89.33% within 120 min. The underlying mechanism of iron-carbon micro electrolysis and electrocatalytic system was further studied. PVA wastewater was degraded by direct catalytic oxidation from electrodes. A scavenger experiment showed that free radicals consisting of •OH and HClO mainly contributed to the PVA wastewater degradation. HClO was generated by Cl− at the electrocatalysis and micro electrolysis of particles. In addition, the lifetime of the prepared BFD particle electrode was 120 h, which exhibited electrochemical stability. These findings highlight that the 3DECs coupled with BFD particle electrode is a promising electrocatalysis process for the removal of PVA wastewater.

Assessment of the barrier function of canine skin after repeated decontamination

Working canines often deploy into environments with unknown chemical and biological contaminants. Disaster canines may be deployed for lengthy periods and thus may experience longer periods of environmental exposure with greater possibility for contaminant contact. The skin functions as a protective barrier to prevent potential contaminants and pathogens from entering the system. To mitigate the effects of contaminant exposure to canine and handler, daily decontamination efforts are often required. However, little data exist on the effect of repeated decontamination to the canine skin. The objective of this study was to identify changes to the skin associated with a 14-day serial decontamination program. Labrador retrievers (n = 8) were decontaminated daily using a dish detergent solution (1:8, detergent:water). Skin measurements were collected weekly for pH, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum, and moisture. Additionally, visual assessments were recorded for skin health, coat condition, and dander scores (back and body). Statistical tests were conducted with SAS (version 9.4) with measured data analyzed using a PROC GLM two-way ANOVA and visual assessments analyzed using the PROC FREQ Chi-square test. Significance was set at 5% for all tests. Repeated decontamination significantly increased TEWL (P < 0.0001) through day 16 with values returning to baseline by day 49. Sebum was also affected by repeated, daily decontamination efforts (P = 0.0387). However, higher sebum values are seen later in the study, on day 42, and may be associated with recovery. In contrast, moisture content (P = 0.3842) and pH (P = 0.7462) were unaffected by repeated decontamination. Interestingly, dander scores assessed on the back were worsened by repeated decontamination (P = 0.0222), but dander scores assessed across the whole body were unaffected (P = 0.1804). Coat shine and softness were unaffected by decontamination (P = 0.1156 and P = 0.3418, respectively). Overall coat condition remained unchanged as a result of repeated decontamination efforts (P = 0.9466). These data demonstrate negative impacts to the skin barrier associated with daily decontamination, which may increase the risk of inflammation and skin damage (Ananthapadmanabhan et al., 2004; Vidémont et al., 2012). Future work should include investigations into safer methods of decontamination to mitigate these risks.

Impacts to canine dermal microbiota associated with repeated bathing.

Working dogs routinely operate in environmental conditions which may necessitate daily bathing to remove contaminants or soilage. The impacts of frequent or repeated bathing on the canine dermal microbiota are unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in canine dermal microbial populations following repeated daily bathing. Labrador retrievers (n = 16) were bathed daily using a dilute dish detergent solution (1.6% detergent solution) over the course of 14 days. Dermal microbial DNA was collected via sterile swabs (n = 142) taken at days 0, 7, 14, 16, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 and analyzed for alpha diversity, beta diversity and relative abundance to assess changes in the dermal microbiota via 16 s sequencing. Results indicate that daily bathing significantly increased Shannon diversity, Chao1, and several rare amplicon sequence variants. Although typically reported in highest abundance, relative abundance was decreased in the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria (p < 0.05). Repeated daily bathing with dilute dish detergent significantly reduced normal healthy dermal microbial taxa and created significant changes in the dermal microbiota of canines. Disruption to the canine dermal microbiota may cause negative impacts to canine dermal health and require further investigation.

Effect of Surfactant (dish detergent) on Aphid Insecticide and Pot-mum Growth

Effect of Surfactant (dish detergent) on Aphid Insecticide and Pot-mum Growth

99 Interrupting the composting process for equine carcass skeleton recovery

Proper disposal of equine carcasses continues to be a challenge for equine owners. Recently, composting has been of interest for post-mortem disposal due to pathogen and parasite reduction, and economic concerns associated with traditional burial. Additionally, many educators lack appropriate resources to teach equine skeletal structure due to cost and availability. Study objectives were to 1) determine if in-ground composting can reach over 48.8°C needed for pathogen and parasite destruction and 2) develop methodology to successfully recover full skeletons. Two carcasses (C1 and C2, respectively) were placed in identically constructed pits 1.8–2.4m deep, with 0.6–0.9m of wood pine shavings under the carcass, a layer of metal wire, carcass, followed by 1.2–1.5m of wood shavings on top. A probe thermometer was used to monitor temperature 0.9m down from the pile surface, and weather data including rainfall was collected daily. For C2 only, additional data loggers were placed under the carcass at the rib cage, on top of the animal at the hock, and inside the animal's body cavity. Descriptive statistics were calculated using the means procedure in SAS, where data are expressed as mean ± SD. Carcasses 1 and 2 composted for 187.5 ± 36 d, where excavation time was determined by a plateau in pile temperature, and ambient temperatures ranged from 14.3 ± 9.3°C for C1 and 20.9 ± 6.2°C for C2. Rainfall amounts duringthese periods ranged from 4.2 ± 10.5mm for C1 and 3.3 ± 8.1mm for C2. Midway through the composting process, when temperatures either declined or were failing to increase, the top of the pile was scraped without disrupting the carcass, to increase airflow and provide oxygenation to the carcass below as is customary within composting procedures. Piles were scraped at 92 d for C1 and 85 d for C2. Within the first 107 d of composting, probe temperatures were numerically similar for both carcasses (C1 = 46.6 ± 6.3°C, C2 = 41.4 ± 3.6°C). Data loggers placed on carcass 2 recorded an average of 29.6 ± 0.8°C (min = 20.6°C, max = 31.0°C) under the rib cage, 35.5 ± 2.0°C (min = 20.6°C, max = 37.6°C) on the hock, and 32.4 ± 1.8°C (min = 28.5°C, max = 36.5°C) inside the body cavity. Once carcasses were excavated, bones were immediately washed, and subsequently soaked in an equal part mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 10% ammonium hydroxide, water, and clear dish detergent until grease residues were no longer emitted from bones. Results indicate that ideal temperatures for pathogen and parasite destruction were not always reached within compost piles; however, in-ground composting did prove as an efficient means to obtain teaching skeletons at a low cost ($3,500 per skeleton).

Are Green Household Consumer Products Less Toxic than Conventional Products? An Assessment Involving Grass Shrimp (Palaemon pugio) and Daphnia magna.

Although it is generally assumed that green household consumer products (HCPs) contain individual compounds that are less toxic and/or more degradable than conventional HCPs, little research on this topic has been conducted. In our assessments, larval grass shrimp (Palaemon pugio) were used in a biodegradation study and juvenile freshwater cladocerans, Daphnia magna, were used in a photodegradation study. In each study, organisms were exposed to nondegraded and degraded treatments consisting of one green HCP and two conventional HCPs in six different categories (laundry detergent, dish detergent, mouthwash, insecticide, dishwasher gel, and all-purpose cleaner). Sensitivity to these products were assessed using 48-h static acute toxicity tests, and the median lethal concentrations (LC50s) then compared using an LC50 ratio test. For grass shrimp, only one green HCP (insecticide) was less toxic than both conventional HCPs. In one category (laundry detergent), the green HCP was the more toxic than either conventional HCP. Following a biodegradation treatment, none of the green product formulations became less toxic, whereas 44.4% of the conventional HCPs demonstrated decreased toxicity. For daphnids, green HCPs in three categories (dish detergent, insecticide, and all-purpose cleaner) were less toxic than both conventional products tested. Following a photodegradation treatment, two green product formulations (dish detergent and dishwasher gel) became less toxic (33.3%), whereas 87.5% of the conventional HCPs demonstrated decreased toxicity. The present study demonstrates that green HCPs are not necessarily less toxic and/or more degradable than their conventional counterparts. These results also suggest that the toxicity and degradability of end-product formulations need to be considered in the overall framework for green product evaluation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2444-2453. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Optimization of an Analytical Protocol for the Extraction of Microplastics from Seafood Samples with Different Levels of Fat.

Marine organisms are affected by the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. Several protocols have been described to extract and quantify MPs in seafood, although their complex matrices, with high level of fat, can compromise the efficiency of MPs extraction. To solve this issue, the present study aimed to develop a detailed methodology suitable to process seafood samples with different levels of fat, namely fish and molluscs, from fresh and canned sources, including the immersive liquids from the cans. Sample digestion was tested using different solutions (10% KOH, 30% H2O2), temperatures (40 °C, 65 °C) and incubation times (24, 48, 72 h). For fat removal, three detergents (two laboratory surfactants and a commercial dish detergent) and 96% ethanol were tested, as well as the manual separation of fat. The methodology optimized in this study combined a digestion with 30% H2O2 at 65 °C, during 24 to 48 h, with a manual separation of the fat remaining after the digestion. All steps from the present methodology were tested in six types of polymers (PE-LD, PET, PE, AC, PS, and lycra), to investigate if these procedures altered the integrity of MPs. Results showed that the optimized methodology will allow for the efficient processing of complex seafood samples with different fat levels, without compromising MPs integrity (recoveries rate higher than 89% for all the polymers tested).

A comparison of canine decontamination cleansers: Implications for water use, dermal pH, and contaminant reduction

Environmental contamination is commonly experienced by working canines deployed in the field. Unfortunately, data regarding safety and efficacy of cleansers recommended for decontamination is lacking. Client-owned canines recruited from the community (n = 43) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: povidone-iodine scrub [60 mL Betadine® 7.5% povidone-iodine surgical scrub (Avrio Health L.P, Stamford, CT)], chlorhexidine scrub [60 mL Nolvasan® 2% chlorohexidine surgical scrub (Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI)], dish detergent [60 mL Dawn® dish detergent (Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH)], or water alone (control). A visual score assessing removal of a fluorescent marker (GloGerm, Moab, UT) applied between the shoulder blades was used to rate effectiveness of decontamination. Cleanser effect on canine dermal barrier function was determined by measuring pre- and post-decontamination dermal pH and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Analysis of visual scores was performed using PROC FREQ and Chi Square. Significance was set a priori at 0.05 for all tests. Efficacy of fluorescent marker removal was significantly affected by cleanser (P < 0.0001). Dermal pH was also highly affected by cleanser (P < 0.0001). In contrast, TEWL was unchanged across cleansers (P = 0.2686). Common veterinary cleansers utilized for canine decontamination demonstrate similarity in effectiveness for removal of a simulated contaminant and negative impact on dermal barrier function.

DISTRIBUTION AND QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES FROM A SAMPLE OF RED GRAPEFRUIT, AFTER TREATMENT WITH FUNGICIDE SOLUTIONS

"The Most citrus fruits are compromised each year due to post-harvest fungal infections. To reduce fungal infections, packing centers use fungicide solution mixtures to prevent infections that occur during harvest and then during storage. The most common fungal pathogens of citrus are commonly treated with the fungicides imazalil, Pyrimethanil due to their effectiveness in controlling these pathogens at low cost and ease of handling. However, little is known about how it alters tissues in citrus physiology. In this study we will investigate the behavior and retention of imazalil and pyrimethanil in the tissues of the red grapefruit fruit (peel and core before washing and after washing with hot water and simple dish detergent). This work demonstrates a viable approach for assessing the quality of citrus fruits, and we can even proceed to thoroughly wash each fruit before consumption, as we remove a quantity of residue. This work demonstrates that the treatment affects the citrus tissues and the substances migrate throughout the pulp, although the treatment was applied to the peel. Washing, which is the first step in food processing on a domestic and industrial scale, helps to reduce pesticide residues on the fruit surface. In this study, the effectiveness of washing the peel was also investigated. Although many chemicals are applied to citrus to prevent certain diseases or control pests, there is little literature available on how these treatments alter the physiology of the fruit. Usually, the packaging only analyzes the level of treatments on the products."

PSI-3 An assessment of the barrier function of canine skin after repeated decontamination

Abstract Working canines are often deployed to environments with unknown chemical and biological contaminants. Deployed canines may operate in highly contaminated disaster sites for lengthy periods of time requiring daily decontamination efforts. The skin provides a barrier by retaining moisture and preventing entry by contaminants and pathogens. However, few data exist on the impact of repeated decontamination to the canine skin. The objective of this study was to identify changes in dermal health during and after a 14-day serial decontamination program. Labrador retrievers (n = 8) were decontaminated daily using a dish detergent solution (1:8, detergent:water). Skin measurements were collected weekly for pH, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum, and moisture. Additionally, visual assessments were recorded for skin health, coat condition, and dander scores (back and body). Statistical tests were conducted with SAS (version 9.4) with measurements analyzed using a PROC GLM Two Way ANOVA and visual assessments analyzed using PROC FREQ Chi Square test. Significance was set at 5% for all tests. Repeated decontamination significantly increased TEWL (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) through day 16. Sebum content was also impacted by repeated daily decontamination efforts (P = 0.0387). Sebum decreased initially before steadily rising. In contrast, moisture content (P = 0.3842) and pH (P = 0.7462), were unaffected by repeated decontamination. Interestingly, dander scores assessed on the back were worsened by repeated decontamination (P = 0.0222) but dander scores assessed across the whole body were unaffected (P = 0.1804). Coat shine was unaffected by decontamination (P = 0.1156) similar to coat softness (P = 0.3418). Overall coat condition remained unchanged as a result of repeated decontamination efforts (P = 0.9466). These data reveal that daily decontamination impacts dermal function, potentially risks for canines working in contaminated areas. Future work should include investigations into methods for decontamination to mitigate these risks.

Unilever and Arzeda to use AI to find enzymes

The enzyme development start-up Arzeda has landed a 3-year partnership with the consumer goods giant Unilever to develop enzymes for household cleaning applications. Many dish detergents and hard-surface cleaners already use enzymes, which can break down soils, oils, and grime and boost the performance of other ingredients. Enzymes (such as the hydrolase shown), along with live microbes and advanced surfactants, are central to Unilever’s $1.2 billion plan to shift to 100% biobased ingredients in its cleaning products by 2030. Neil Parry, head of biotechnology development at Unilever, says the firm has the opportunity with Arzeda to look beyond the capacities of natural enzymes and into new kinds of enzyme-catalyzed cleaning chemistry. “Although detergents have been around for a long time with enzymes in them, the enzyme classes are quite limited,” he says, “and we believe there’s so many more enzyme classes that can get performance.” Arzeda combines physics-based protein design

Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble plastic commercially used in laundry and dish detergent pods (LDPs) for which a complete understanding of its fate in the environment and subsequent consequences is lacking. The objective of this study was to estimate the US nationwide emissions of PVA resulting from domestic use of LDPs, corroborated by a nationwide, online consumer survey and a literature review of its fate within conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Peer-reviewed publications focusing on the degradation of PVA in critical processes of WWTPs were shortlisted as a part of the literature review, and subsequent degradation data was extracted and applied to a model with a set of assumptions. Survey and model results estimated that approximately 17,200 ± 5000 metric ton units per year (mtu/yr) of PVA are used from LDPs in the US, with 10,500 ± 3000 mtu/yr reaching WWTPs. Literature review data, when incorporated into our model, resulted in ~61% of PVA ending up in the environment via the sludge route and ~15.7% via the aqueous phase. PVA presence in the environment, regardless of its matrix, is a threat to the ecosystem due to the potential mobilization of heavy metals and other hydrophilic contaminants.

Evaluation of different cleaning methods for feline inhalation chambers after bacterial contamination.

Inhalation chambers are commonly used for the delivery of aerosol drugs to cats with respiratory disease. The aim of the study was to identify successful cleaning methods for inhalation devices after standardised bacterial contamination. Spacer devices of two different manufacturers were used: RC Chamber (Cegla Medizintechnik) and Aerokat (Trudell Medical International). The bacterial contamination was performed using Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Previously marked areas of the chamber were contaminated with 50 μl of bacterial solution, containing between 2.2 ×105 and 2.1 ×108 colony-forming units/ml each. After cleaning the devices as recommended by each manufacturer (RC Chamber: special microwave cleaning bag [n = 5] or boiling water with liquid dish detergent for 15 mins [n = 5]; Aerokat: rinsing in a solution of lukewarm water and liquid dish detergent for 15 mins), chambers were air-dried for 24 h and samples for bacterial culture were taken from three defined areas. Sample material was applied on Müller-Hinton agar plates and subsequently incubated for 24 h at 37°C. Bacterial contamination was not detected in any of the examined inhalation devices using the recommended cleaning methods. If inhalation chambers are cleaned following the manufacturers' recommendations, successful bacterial decontamination can be expected.

Experiment on the Self-Aggregation of Amphiphiles

Formation of supramolecular aggregates such as micelles and vesicles is governed by hydrophobic and hydrophilic interaction as well as the geometric shapes of the aggregating molecules. Here we present an experiment for upper secondary chemistry class to show how structural properties of molecules such as fatty acids govern the shapes of aggregates. For fatty acids, the pH value controls whether micelles or vesicles are formed. Using a size exclusion column and the possibility to encase fluorescing dye molecules in vesicles, the properties of micelles and vesicles are explored and compared to typical micelle building surfactants from dish detergent and the vesicle building lecithin.

Household Contamination of Baby Bottles and Opportunities to Improve Bottle Hygiene in Peri-Urban Lima, Peru.

Feeding of infant formula using contaminated bottles may be an important transmission pathway of enteric pathogens during early life. Determinants of suboptimal bottle hygiene and the feasibility and acceptability of intervention strategies have not been well assessed. We evaluated the extent of bottle contamination, its contributing factors, and options for promoting improved bottle hygiene in a Peruvian shantytown. During Phase 1, we sampled from bottles and caregiver hands (n = 48) and processed for enumeration of total coliform and Escherichia coli colony-forming units. A semi-structured questionnaire captured bottle use and hygiene practices. Phase 2 involved the identification of candidate practices to recommend to caregivers. Phase 3 consisted of a behavioral trial in which 14 caregivers were educated about improved practices for bottle disinfection and later reported on their experiences implementing them. Fecal bacteria were detected in 43.8% of bottles sampled during Phase 1 and in 21.7% of hands. Caregivers overall did not use effective methods for disinfecting bottles, displayed misunderstandings surrounding hygienic practices, and few had ever discussed bottle hygiene with a health provider. Findings from the behavioral trial indicated that the improved practice of brushing the bottle with dish detergent for 30 seconds after every use is preferable to boiling the bottle for several minutes daily as caregivers reported that the brush was simple to use, efficient, and practical. The promotion of a bottle brush and detergent is a feasible and acceptable intervention strategy in peri-urban settings, and future research should evaluate its long-term effectiveness for reducing bottle contamination.

Does advertising the green benefits of products contribute to sustainable development goals? A quasi‐experimental test of the dilution effect

AbstractUsing two studies, we examine the dilution effect for green products, by testing whether advertising green benefits decreases their perceived instrumentality and thus harms sustainable development. We use a between‐subject design and ask participants to evaluate the efficacy of a pen (Study 1) and a dish detergent (Study 2) with and without environmental attributes. Our results are inconsistent with the predictions of the dilution model because the perceived instrumentality of both products does not decrease when environmental benefits are added. Our findings are relevant for eco‐labeling given anecdotal evidence suggesting that adding green information can harm the perceived quality of products.

Transfer of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium from Beef to Tomato through Kitchen Equipment and the Efficacy of Intermediate Decontamination Procedures

It is well established that a high percentage of foodborne illness is caused by failure of consumers to prepare food in a hygienic manner. Indeed, a common practice in households is to use the same kitchen equipment for both raw meat and fresh produce. Such a practice may lead to cross-contamination of fruits and vegetables, which are mainly consumed without further processing, with pathogenic microorganisms originating from raw meat. The present study was performed to examine the transfer of the pathogenic bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from inoculated beef fillets to tomatoes via contact with high-density polyethylene (PE), stainless steel (SS), and wooden (WD) surfaces and through cutting with SS knives. Furthermore, the following decontamination procedures were applied: (i) rinsing with tap water, (ii) scrubbing with tap water and liquid dish detergent, and (iii) using a commercial antibacterial spray. When surfaces and knives that came into contact with contaminated beef fillets were not cleaned prior to handling tomatoes, the lowest level of pathogen transfer to tomatoes was observed through PE surfaces. All of the decontamination procedures applied were more effective on knives than on surfaces, while among the surface materials tested, WD surfaces were the most difficult to decontaminate, followed by PE and SS surfaces. Mechanical cleaning with tap water and detergent was more efficient in decontaminating WD surfaces than using commercial disinfectant spray, followed by rinsing only with water. Specifically, reductions of 2.07 and 1.09 log CFU/cm(2) were achieved by washing the WD surfaces with water and detergent and spraying the surfaces with an antibacterial product, respectively. Although the pathogen's populations on SS and PE surfaces, as well as on tomatoes, after both aforementioned treatments were under the detection limit, the surfaces were all positive after enrichment, and thus, the potential risk of cross-contamination cannot be overlooked. As demonstrated by the results of this study, washing or disinfection of kitchen equipment may not be sufficient to avoid cross-contamination of ready-to-eat foods with foodborne pathogens, depending on the decontamination treatment applied and the material of the surfaces treated. Therefore, separate cutting boards and knives should be used for processing raw meat and preparing ready-to-eat foods in order to enhance food safety.

Effect of ethyleneoxide groups of anionic surfactants on lipase activity.

The use of enzymes in laundry and dish detergent products is growing. Such tendency implies dedicated studies to understand surfactant-enzyme interactions. The interactions between surfactants and enzymes and their impact on the catalytic efficiency represent a central problem and were here evaluated using circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, and enzyme activity determinations. This work focuses on this key issue by evaluating the role of the ethyleneoxide (EO) groups of anionic surfactants on the structure and activity of a commercial lipase, and by focusing on the protein/surfactant interactions at a molecular level. The conformational changes and enzymatic activity of the protein were evaluated in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS also denoted as SLE0 S) and of sodium lauryl ether sulfate with two EO units (SLE2 S). The results strongly suggest that the presence of EO units in the surfactant polar headgroup determines the stability and the activity of the enzyme. While SDS promotes enzyme denaturation and consequent loss of activity, SLE2 S preserves the enzyme structure and activity. The data further highlights that the electrostatic interactions among the protein groups are changed by the presence of the adsorbed anionic surfactants being such absorption mainly driven by hydrophobic interactions. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1276-1282, 2016.

Improving Culinary Education by Examining the Green Culinary Behaviors of Hospitality College Students

ABSTRACTThis study developed a checklist and used it to examine the green culinary behaviors of college students to improve culinary education. A total of 64 hospitality students were recruited to participate in a designed cooking competition, and a structured nonparticipant observation method was used to collect data on the culinary behaviors of the participants. A culinary behavior checklist was developed that comprised 14 items allocated to five dimensions: energy saving, water saving, waste reduction, chemical pollution reduction, and recycling. According to the observation results, most of the nongreen culinary behaviors were performed by participants. Among these nongreen behaviors, discarding reusable ingredients as kitchen waste was the most severe (28.8% of ingredients were considered kitchen waste and discarded), followed by failing to categorize waste correctly and using dish detergents directly without dilution. Some suggestions for enhancing catering and culinary education are made based on the research results.

Estimating fatty alcohol contributions to the environment from laundry and personal care products using a market forensics approach

Fatty alcohol-based surfactants are widely used in detergents and personal care products; they are typically disposed of down-the-drain and are degraded or removed during wastewater treatment. Analytical data had shown concentration and profile differences between regions of the United States. Market sales data were purchased relevant to the sampling dates. In combination with analysis of the fatty alcohol profiles in the top selling products, the influent profiles were reconstructed and compared to the whole U.S. sales data. The per capita usage rate for fatty alcohols through these 4000+ top selling products was 4.9 g per day, with 88% arising from liquid laundry detergents and hand dish detergents. This extrapolates to a national usage of 185,000 tonnes per year. There were significant differences in the purchasing habits of the inhabitants across the four regions sampled, although this had minimal impact on the fatty alcohol profile which was dominated by the C12 moiety. The U.S. market was also dominated by petrochemically-sourced chemicals. This market forensics approach using purchased sales data was able to extend our knowledge of the fate of these chemicals without a major (expensive) sampling and analytical campaign.