Description: The object is approximately seven to eight inches in length and is orange and white in color. The material looks to be plastic with orange hard rubber strips that raise above the object to form ridges associated with some type of grip. Thick hair-like bristles protrude out of the object in an oval shape. The bristles are white, blue, and yellow in color. Towards the bottom of the object the words Colgate are spelled.

 

Induction: Looking at the contoured material, I would assume based on the ridges that it is meant to be handled. The object fits nicely in my hand and the hard rubber material makes it difficult to slip out of my hand. The thick bristles towards the top of the object would suggest a scrubbing or brushing purpose, and the alignment of the bristles would suggest a horizontal scrubbing motion.

 

Speculation: This object has the potential for a cleaning purpose due to the thick bristles and easy handling of the object. Most likely for hygiene, because of the softened tips of the bristles. I found this object in my bathroom and I believe is used for personal hygiene.

Questions: What uses does this object have? Can it be used for something other than cleaning? Do this object need to be replaced on a regular basis?

Oliveira, Sara Cioccari, Dagmar Else Slot, and Fridus van der Weijden. 2014. “Is it safe to use a toothbrush?.” Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 72, no.8: 561-569. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed January 23, 2016).

In this article it studies the abnormal case studies of tooth brushes. The goal is to uncover whether or not it is safe to use a toothbrush. The findings in this article found a toothbrush to be safe to use, but should not be used while walking or running.

 

Randy Rieland, ” How smart can a toothbrush be?,”Smithsonian Magazine, last modified March 7, 2014, www.smithsonianmag.com/innovationandscience.com

 

In this article, the author, Randy Rieland analyzes the toothbrush and just how smart it can be. New technology has allowed Bluetooth capability in the toothbrush and syncs to an app on a phone. this allows people to get the proper time that it takes to fully clean your teeth.

Step 1: The object is rectangular approximately three by four inches. It is made of thin pink polka dotted material, smooth save for the the dull teethed edges of the package on both shorter sides. A small trip of adhesed material lays on top of the package where the wet wipes held in the internal compartment can be withdrawn. The wet wipes themselves are a stark white square of cloth damp as the name suggests. They are accompanied by a generic light floral scent.

Step 2: based on the soft material of the wipe and the words ‘face and hand’ on the front i can synthesis that this product is used to wipe soft areas of the body . The damp nature of the cloth saturated with solution leads one to believe that the object can be used to remove substances that are commonly found on the hands and face, dirt, food, sweat. The airy floral scent is gentle enough that i think the object can be used on a variety of skin types, ages and genders. It’s compact container infers its is made for the ability to travel around without taking up to much room suggesting that though it was found in my bathroom it could as easily have been found in a bag or car.

3.

4. Questions

are these chemical environmentally safe?

are there other uses besides personal grooming for this object?

can its anti-bactirial nature be harmful to its user with prolonged and repeated exposure?

5. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/scientists-discover-that-antimicrobial-wipes-and-soaps-may-be-making-you-and-society-sick/

This piece examines the nature and abundances of anti-bactirial products such as face and hand cleaners. Talking about the possiblitity of the products being responsibly for the abismal state of the collective human immune systems.

Opstrup, M. S., Johansen, J. D., Bossi, R., Lundov, M. D., & Garvey, L. H. (2015). Chlorhexidine in cosmetic products – a market survey. Contact Dermatitis (01051873), 72(1), 55-58. doi:10.1111/cod.12298

the article describes the potential harm of chlorhexidina, a chemical often found in cosmetic products. The article specifically looks at how the chemical can cause irritations and different levels of allergic reactions do to exposure.