Many people rely on contact lenses to improve their vision. But these sight-correcting devices don’t last forever — some are intended for a single day’s use — and they are eventually disposed of in various ways.
Now, scientists are reporting that throwing these lenses down the drain at the end of their use could be contributing to microplastic pollution in waterways.
The researchers are presenting their results today at the 256th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS, the world’s largest scientific society, is holding the meeting here through Thursday. It features more than 10,000 presentations on a wide range of science topics.
The inspiration for this work came from personal experience. “I had worn glasses and contact lenses for most of my adult life,” Rolf Halden, Ph.D., says. “But I started to wonder, has anyone done research on what happens to these plastic lenses?” His team had already been working on plastic pollution research, and it was a startling wake-up call when they couldn’t find studies on what happens to contact lenses after use.
Continue reading at American Chemical Society
Image via Charles Rolsky, Arizona State University
