Abstract
Gray water is one of the principal origins of water pollution. A questionnaire survey was conducted of people who cooked at home in 1999 to investigate their awareness of and efforts to reduce pollutants in kitchen waste water. Although awareness of wa ter pollution was not low (41%), the degree to which kitchen waste contaminates the water was not correctly recognized. Small garbage was usually flushed away with water and collected in a garbage basket when there was concern about organic waste. Frying oil was disposed of correctly, while liquid waste such as drain water from boiling noodles was poured away. About 60% of respondents used dishwashing detergent "undiluted, quantified at a guess, or put directly on a sponge". Wiping away the residue on dishes before washing was practiced in only about 30-40% of homes which suggests that its effect was not generally recognized. Those respondents with an awareness of water pollution tended to make many efforts to reduce the pollutants in kitchen waste water.
