Fatbergs are a
growing scourge infesting
cities around the world—
some are more than 800
feet long and weigh more
than four humpback
whales. These gross globs,
which can cause sewer
systems to block up and even overflow, have been plaguing the
U.S., Great Britain and Australia for the past decade, forcing
governments and utilities companies to send workers down into
the sewers armed with water hoses, vacuums and scrapers with
the unenviable task of prying them loose.
"It is hard not to think of [fatbergs] as a tangible symbol of the
way we live now, the ultimate product of our disposable, out of
sight, out of mind culture," wrote journalist Tim Adams in The
Guardian.
At their core, fatbergs are the accumulation of oil and grease
that's been poured down the drain, congealing around flushed
nonbiological waste like tampons, condoms and baby wipes.
When fat sticks to the side of sewage pipes, the wipes and other
detritus get stuck, accumulating layer upon layer of gunk in a sort
of slimy snowball effect.
Fatbergs also collect other kinds of debris—London fatbergs
have been cracked open to reveal pens, false teeth and even
watches.
Restaurants are a big contributor to fatbergs: Thames Water,
the London utilities company, found nine out of 10 fast-food
eateries lacked adequate grease traps to stop fat from entering
the sewers. Homeowners also contribute to the problem by
pouring grease and fat down the sink.
Even though its component materials are soft, fatbergs
themselves can be tough as rocks. Researchers have found a host
of dangerous bacteria in fatbergs, including listeria and e.coli.
Fatbergs are notorious for their fetid smell, which can make
even the hardiest sewer workers gag, and chipping away at one
can release noxious gases.
The key to fatberg prevention is remembering the four Ps:
Pee, poo, puke and (toilet) paper are the only things that should
be flushed.
Newsweek, 14 March, 2019. Adaptado.
