How Household Chemicals Return On Our Plates And Why Clean Routines Are Polluting Our Seas

If you’ve ever ended a long day with a hot shower or cleaned your kitchen till it sparkled, you’ve unknowingly contributed to something you can’t see – but that may come back to you in surprising ways.

The suds that slide off your skin, the scented water you pour down the sink, the foam left behind after mopping, all of it leaves your home and begins a journey. Through drains, through rivers, and eventually into the sea.

But the truth is, what vanishes from our bathrooms and kitchens doesn’t vanish at all. The water carries with it a cocktail of chemicals, the very ones that gave our hair its shine, our skin its glow, our homes their fresh scent.

From there, the trail continues. It seeps into the drains that line our streets, flows into rivers that cut through towns and villages, and winds its way toward the sea^[1].

And in time, those same waters return to us. They come back in the prawns we grill at a seaside stall, the ikan bilis in our morning nasi lemak, the snapper on a family dinner table. What we wash off at home doesn’t just disappear. It makes its way back to us, quietly, on our own plates.

Chemicals Lurking In Our Products

When we think about pollution, the first images that spring to mind are oil spills or factory waste pouring into rivers. Few of us imagine that the bottle of shampoo in our bathroom or the detergent we use to mop the floor is part of the problem.

Yet, the truth is many everyday products contain chemicals that slip past wastewater treatment plants and end up in our rivers and seas.

• Fragrances and synthetic musks used in perfumes and shampoos don’t fully break down. Earlier studies found synthetic musks in mussels across the Asia-Pacific^[2].
• Laundry detergents carry surfactants, phosphates and bleaching agents into waterways, disturbing marine plants and creatures even when used in everyday laundry loads^[3].
• Triclosan, once common in antibacterial soaps and some toothpastes, is toxic to marine organisms and lingers in the environment^[4].
• UV filters such as oxybenzone and octocrylene, found in sunscreens and cosmetics, are linked to coral stress and bleaching^[5].

These are what scientists call emerging contaminants, where everyday personal care chemicals that standard treatment plants weren’t built to remove.

A 2023 Malaysian urban water study by Dr Zarimah Mohd Hanafiah underlined how even basic treatments fail to capture these pollutants in the water. 

The STPs (sewage treatment plants) are not designed to treat and remove pharmaceutical compounds from wastewater. – Dr. Zarimah Mohd Hanafiah^[6]

Another way these chemicals enter and linger in our marine environment is through microplastics hidden in personal care products.

Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic waste found in the environment. They are a consequence of the disposal and degradation of consumer goods and industrial waste… We estimate that nearly 0.199 trillion microplastics are released annually to the marine environment in Malaysia. – Prof Dr Sarva Mangala Praveena^[7]

The Assoc Prof at Universiti Pura Malaysia also said previous research by her team indicates that facial scrub, toothpaste, liquid soap, shower gel and cosmetics are potential culprits.

These products often contain glitter and microbeads, which are manufactured from solid plastic particles of less than 1mm in their largest dimension. They enter water bodies through wastewater discharge and runoff. – Prof Dr Sarva Mangala Praveena^[7]

In other words, what we rinse off in our homes, those fragrances, soaps, sunscreen and toothpaste, do not vanish.

It can escape into waterways, drift through rivers, and reach the sea, with subtle but real consequences for marine ecosystems and ultimately, ourselves.

What’s Really On Our Dinner Plate?

We all know that Malaysia, blessed with rich seas and long coastlines, loves its seafood. From our ikan kembung (Indian mackerel), packed with omega-3 and often said to have even higher levels than salmon, to ikan bilis, pomfret, red snapper, prawns and squid, seafood is a staple on our tables.

On average, Malaysians eat 46–53 kilograms of seafood per person each year, more than double the global average of 21 kilograms. ^[8,9]

But what if the very fish and shellfish we enjoy are carrying traces of what we wash off?

Recent Malaysian studies have begun to sound the alarm. In Johor, researchers detected microplastics in the flesh of popular commercial fish like Indian mackerel, pomfret and threadfin bream^[10].

In Selangor, a wet-market survey found microplastics not just in the guts, but also in the muscle tissue, which is the part we eat, of red snapper, Indian mackerel and pomfret^[11]. Reviews show similar findings across Peninsular Malaysia’s waters and sediments^[12].

Globally, microplastics have been detected in almost 99% of seafood samples tested, and scientists warn that these particles can migrate into edible tissue, meaning they are not always removed when fish are cleaned or cooked^[13].

But these studies aren’t just about the oceans, they’re about us. If microplastics and chemical residues are turning up in fish like ikan kembung or red snapper, the same ones sold at our markets and cooked in our homes, then the risks travel up the food chain.

Scientists caution that microplastics can carry toxic additives and absorb pollutants from surrounding waters. While the long-term impact on human health is still being studied, there are concerns that they could contribute to inflammation, disrupt hormones or weaken immune systems. 

In short, the seafood we love and rely on for protein may also be carrying invisible hitchhikers that our bodies were never meant to digest.

Hurting Tummies, Hurting Home

On a bright, blistering afternoon in Pulau Redang, the beach is alive with tourists from all over the world. Before stepping into the water, we lather sunscreen across our arms and shoulders, careful not to let the sun scorch our skin.

The creamy layer feels protective, a shield against the tropical heat, and then, without a second thought, we dive into the turquoise sea.

What many of us don’t realise is that part of that protective layer washes straight off, dissolving into the water around us. While sunscreen keeps our skin safe, some of its ingredients are quietly harming the very reefs and marine life that make Malaysia’s islands world-famous. 

Researchers warn that common UV filters, such as ingredients with oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, can weaken corals, deform young coral larvae and make reefs more prone to bleaching^[14].

Once in the water, these chemicals don’t just disappear. They linger, topped up day after day by swimmers, divers and snorkellers.

Globally, it is estimated that between 6,000 and 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen chemicals flow into reef areas every year^[15]. For Malaysia, where reefs are already under stress from warming seas and coastal development, this extra load of pollution is a heavy burden.

The latest Reef Check Malaysia survey of 315 reef sites found that bleaching and tourism pressures remain persistent problems^[16].

Sunscreen may not be the single biggest threat compared to climate change, but it is one more weight on an already fragile ecosystem. Conservationists now warn of a “triple burden” facing our reefs, which are the rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and chemical run-offs.

The cost is not only environmental but also economic. Healthy reefs support fisheries, protect shorelines and attract tourists whose spending sustains coastal communities.

If corals decline further, Malaysia risks losing not just biodiversity but also livelihoods.

Some parts of the world are already responding. Hawaii, Palau and Bonaire have banned sunscreens with harmful UV filters. While Malaysia hasn’t taken that step yet, awareness is slowly growing.

Divers, eco-tourism groups and even some island resorts are beginning to encourage reef-safe sunscreen or simple alternatives like rash guards to reduce chemical wash-off.

Consumer Awareness And Changemakers

If the picture feels grim, there is hope. Across Malaysia, scientists, NGOs and communities are stepping up to raise awareness and push for change.

Reef Check Malaysia has been on the frontlines of reef conservation for more than a decade. Through its Annual Reef Surveys, the group monitors the health of corals nationwide and shares data with both government agencies and the public^[16].

On islands such as Tioman, Redang and Mersing, Reef Check works with local communities to form Community Marine Conservation Groups^[17].

These groups act as guardians of their own reefs, patrolling for destructive fishing and engaging tourists in eco-friendly practices. Their outreach campaigns, including the Kod Blue beach and reef clean-ups, are aimed at showing Malaysians that individual action matters.

The challenge isn’t just offshore. Rivers carry what we wash off every day into the sea. Antibacterial compounds, such as triclosan and other residues from personal care products, have been detected in Malaysian rivers and in treated tap water in some studies^[18].

While upgrading treatment systems will be part of the solution, change also begins at home.

Here’s how each of us can play a part:

• Choose reef-safe sunscreen. Look for products that use mineral-based filters, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and apply them 20 minutes before swimming.
• Rethink household cleaning. Opt for detergents and soaps with eco-labels that use fewer harsh surfactants. Avoid pouring concentrated chemicals directly into sinks.
• Be mindful of laundry. Washing synthetic clothes releases microfibres that become microplastics. Laundry bags or filters can help stop them from slipping into waterways.
• Practice eco-tourism habits. Shower before entering the sea, wear rash guards to reduce sunscreen use, and respect reef-safe signs at dive sites. Many operators now offer guidance on how visitors can reduce their footprint.

Change also depends on bigger players, from shops that choose what products to stock, to resorts that set the tone for eco-friendly tourism, to policymakers who decide how strictly we protect our waters.

On our own, each action might feel too small to matter. But when multiplied across millions of Malaysians, the ripple becomes a wave.

By being more mindful of what we wash off, we’re not just protecting coral reefs, but we’re also protecting the seafood on our plates and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the sea.

Explore Our Sources:

1. Wilkins et al (2025). Unseen threats: negative effects of microplastic leachate on coral planulae settlement. Sec. Coral Reef Research Volume 12 – 2025. Link. 
2. Haruhiko Nakata et al. (2012). Asia–Pacific mussel watch for emerging pollutants: Distribution of synthetic musks and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in Asian and US coastal waters. Link.
3. Allahverdiyeva, S. (2024). Detergents and the ocean: what is their impact on the marine ecosystem?. Link. 
4. Beyond Pesticides. (2025). Triclosan: Environmental Fate and Effects. Link.
5. Amini, M. (2025). Sunscreen’s impact on marine life needs urgent investigation, study finds. Link.
6. Mohd Hanafiah, Z. et al. (2023). Determination and risk assessment of pharmaceutical residues in the urban water cycle in Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. PeerJ, 11, e14719. Link. 
7. Morhan, S. (2023). Alarm over Malaysia’s microplastic footprint. The Sun. Link.
8. Obi, C. et al. (2025). Overview of the fishery and aquaculture sectors in Malaysia. Link. 
9. OECD. (2023). OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032. Link.
10. Ezraneti, R. et al. (2025). Microplastic contamination in commercial marine fish: A case study in Johor, Malaysia. Link. 
11. Syazani, A. (2025). Microplastic contamination in fresh fish: insights from wet market in Selangor, Malaysia. Link.
12. Ezraneti, R. et al. (2024). Microplastic Contamination in Marine Ecosystem of Peninsular Malaysia: A Review in Marine Water, Sediment, and Marine Fish. Link.
13. Traylor et al. (2024). From the ocean to our kitchen table: anthropogenic particles in the edible tissue of U.S. West Coast seafood species. Link.
14. Miller, I. B. et al. (2021). Toxic effects of UV filters from sunscreens on coral reefs revisited: regulatory aspects for “reef safe” products. Link.
15. Zachos, E. et al. (2023). What sunscreens are best for you—and the planet?. Link.
16. Reef Check Malaysia. (2025). Status of Coral Reefs in Malaysia, 2024. Link.
17. Reef Check Malaysia. (2024). Reef Check Malaysia Sees Continued Success with Community Marine Conservation Groups. Link.
18. Wee, S, Y. et al. (2023). Active pharmaceutical ingredients in Malaysian drinking water: consumption, exposure, and human health risk. Link