Glitter’s sparkle hides a darker side – it can change the chemistry of our oceans

By Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco, Ussher Associate Professor in Nanomineralogy, Trinity College Dublin
Kristina Petra Zubovic, Researcher at the Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin

Glitter is festive and fun – a favourite for decorations, makeup and art projects. But while it may look harmless, beautiful even, glitter’s sparkle hides a darker side. Those shimmering specks often end up far from party tables and greeting cards. You can even spot them glinting on beaches, washed in with the tide.

In our recent research, we discovered that glitter – specifically, the kind made from a common plastic polymer called…

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