An article I wrote on lip gloss and Aids had me wondering about the effect on the environment of condoms. There doesn't really seem to be any definitive answer on this. One piece of advice is to always use a condom. The rate of HIV infection is soaring as are the rates of many STD's. That's not even mentioning the unplanned pregnancy issues involved.
One sure solution is to not flush condoms. They may look disgusting and gross in the garbage can but when flushed can lead to all kinds of issues. They can clog your plumbing and lead to some expensive (and embarassing!) plumbing bills. They could end out having to be "fished out" of the infrastructure's solid waste treatment facilities...imagine having that job:( The worst though is to have used condoms end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans. There are thousands and thousands of them stuck to coral, floating on the surfaces, ending up on beaches and endangering water life. It is recommended to wrap the used condom in toliet paper (not plastic) and dispose of in the garbage.
On the issue of biodegradability, there is great debate. The non-latex PVC condoms are made from plastic and are definitely NOT biodegradable. Sheep-skin condoms are biodegradable but do not protect against STD's. The pores of the skin are small enough to keep the sperm in but not small enough to ensure safety when it comes to HIV and STD's. This is a good choice though if you are in a monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested. Make sure that these are still placed in the garbage though. While they are compostable, the scent will attract animals. Oh, and that's pretty disgusting!
So that leaves us with regular latex condoms. The latex in and of itself is not an issue. It comes from rubber trees and is completely biodegradable. The bodily fluids are biodegradable. What causes an issue is how the latex is processed and the chemicals (spermicide and lubricants) used on the exterior of the condom. There are lots of environmentally friendly, organic and biodegradable lubricants on the market that could be used which would probably help. The vulcanizers that are used to harden the rubber (tiny immature giggle) is said by some to make the latex unable to biodegrade overtime. The effects of the spermicide are also not good as this can leech into groundwater and become a contaminant.
The important thing to remember is to make sure that condoms ARE used. There are new research and production techniques being tested. Specifically, Nantex in Brazil is making small numbers of environmentally friendly condoms as we speak! Ensure that all condoms go to in the garbage instead of down the toliet and keep your eyes and ears open for new condoms coming to the market.
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