Convenience is often the reason we buy certain products. Take dishwasher and laundry pods or “sheets.” Do we need them? Truthfully, we could measure out powder or liquid detergent, but these small household helpers have become cleaning staples in many homes due to their ease of use. All you need to do is pop one of these pods, tabs, sheets or strips into your machine – no measuring – and voilà: spotless dishes or clean clothes. These human-made modern miracles not only save you time, but in the end, you’re left with... nothing! Hallelujah! But do they really disappear? These pods and sheets are made of polyvinyl alcohol also known as PVA, PVOH, and PVAI, a synthetic plastic polymer that is marketed as a safer solution because it is water-soluble and therefore dissolves and disappears down the drain. But when it comes to these products, the disappearing act is just that – an act. The plastic surrounding the pod, or that makes up the paper-like material into which the detergent has been infused, actually breaks apart into pieces so small the human eye can’t see them. We’ve linked the story and fact sheet in stories, so be sure to dig in. You can also head to the blog tab at madesafe.org.