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What impact does toothpaste have on our environment?

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In order for toothpaste to complete its job of cleaning the teeth, it must contain some kind of chemicals in it. 
Some chemicals in the toothpaste are problematic -Those chemicals are spitted down the drain, leaking into river, lakes and ocean downstream, causing a serious water pollution, as people spend 3,000 hours brushing their teeth in their lifetime. 

One of the ingredients of toothpaste, sodium pyrophosphate, is responsible for preventing tartar build-up. However, it contains phosphorus which is the reason for excessive algal growth in waterways when used-water is drained down the sink. Those decomposing algae take away oxygen from the water, creating a huge dead zone where no marine animals or bacteria can live in (Block).

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Furthermore, there is a germ-killing chemical contained in toothpaste called Triclosan, and as it is released into the water from the drain, it has been building up in the ocean web, which is known to disrupt the hormones and growth and development of marine animals and bacteria. 


Those all ruin the diversity of living things, having a harsh impact on the environment of this Earth.


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