Tissues are everywhere—at home, in restaurants, and in our bags. We use them to wipe our faces, clean our hands, and stay tidy. But did you know where they came from and how they affect our world?
A Quick History
Modern Tissues: The tissues we use today started in 1924. A company called Kimberly-Clark created Kleenex. At first, it was meant for removing makeup, but people soon started using it for everything.
Ancient China: Paper was invented by Cai Lun in 105 AD. By the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), people started using paper for personal cleaning instead of cloth.
A Unique Habit: In the 14th century, a famous traveler named Ibn Battuta noted that Chinese people used special paper for the toilet, which was very unusual back then.
The Hidden Dangers
Even though tissues are helpful, they have some downsides:
Microplastics: Some wipes contain tiny plastics that can pollute our food and water over time.
Health Risks: Some tissues use chemicals like bleach (to make them white), scents, or softeners. These can cause skin allergies or breathing problems for sensitive people.
Infections: Using non-sterile wet wipes on open cuts can lead to infections.
Environmental Impact
Making tissues is tough on nature. It requires wood pulp, which leads to deforestation (cutting down forests). This destroys animal homes and makes global warming worse. Also, many wet wipes do not break down easily, polluting our soil and oceans.
What Can We Do?
You can help by making small changes:
- Choose Wisely: Buy eco-friendly tissues made from recycled paper without scents.
- Switch to Cloth: Use washable towels or handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues whenever possible.