Diseases that can be caused by dishwashing sponges

Foamy dishwashing sponges are an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Within a week, 200,000 times more microorganisms appear in it than in a toilet seat.

Maria Zolotareva, from the Department of Biotechnology and Industrial Pharmacy at the Russian Technological University, told Gazeta news : “Due to the porous structure, food residues and fats remain in the sponge, which allows bacteria to multiply rapidly.” The experiment conducted showed that the sponge, which was used in The intended purpose for only three days, it actually contained an entire community of microorganisms - here we mean enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, staphylococci, yeast and molds.

According to her, the most dangerous are the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella, which is a genus of opportunistic bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family.

She says: “Klebsiella bacteria are often the causative agent of respiratory diseases (rhinosclerosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung abscess). They can damage the mucous membranes of the eyelids, genitourinary organs, meninges, and joints, and cause peritonitis, sepsis, and acute intestinal infections in adults and children.” "It causes purulent complications after surgery. Its danger lies not only because of the diseases it causes, but also because of the development of its resistance to antibiotics."

The expert advises changing the sponge at least once a week and not using a single sponge to wash dishes, surfaces, and vegetables to prevent the consequences it causes. According to her, it is better to replace the sponge with a plastic brush that can always be washed and disinfected with boiling water.

The Polish government presents a bill to legalize abortion

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the Polish government will submit a bill to parliament to legalize abortion.

Abortion has been banned in Poland since 1993. The only exceptions are cases where the life of the pregnant woman is threatened, as well as cases where the pregnancy occurs as a result of rape.

Tusk told reporters: As you know, abortion is one of the topics on which opinions differ in the coalition. We are ready to submit a draft law to the House of Representatives in the coming hours regarding safe and legal abortion until the twelfth week.”

However, according to preliminary estimates, the chances of adopting this draft law are slim. In the House of Representatives itself, the opposition Law and Justice Party is not the only one that opposes abortion legislation, but the Third Way Bloc, which is part of the ruling coalition, also agrees with its opinion.

Even if the law passes through parliament, it will go to President Andrzej Duda, an anti-abortion activist in the PiS, for signature.