Researchers of a new study affirmed that tampons can also be used to identify the pollution areas in rivers and streams. Study researchers have talked about the waste water that has come from baths, sinks, washing machines and showers.

Using tampons, the study researchers were able to absorb chemicals that are present in toilet papers, shampoos and laundry detergents. Study’s lead researcher Professor David Lerner from the University of Sheffield, said, “More than a million homes have their waste water incorrectly connected into the surface water network, which means their sewage is being discharged into a river, rather than going to a treatment plant”.

Lerner affirmed that tampons would act as a cost effective options. Conventional methods to keep a track of wastewater pollution include fiber optic cables and spectrometers. These measures as per researchers require training and are more expensive that boxes of tampons.

Study researchers affirmed that pollutants found in domestic wastewater brings changes in bacterial and invertebrate life in rivers. It also leads to the build-up of sewage fungus, which is a visible grey lining to the river bed.

If tampons are placed under UV light then the researchers think it could successfully determine the contaminated water. Generally, there are two sewage systems in cities and towns. Storm sewers collect rain and runoff from areas like parking lots, roofs and roads and then empty them in water in rivers or streams.

Sanitary sewers collected anything being flushed down the drain and moved to a sewage center for treatment. Study researchers placed tampons in 16 surface water sewers and attached them to bamboo poles.

After three days, they were retrieved and tested under UV light. The researchers found that tampons detected water contamination.