Evaluation and Mitigation of the Environmental Impact of Synthetic Microfibers

Abstract

The washing of synthetic fabrics has been identified recently as one of the major contributors to the global release of primary microplastics to the oceans. The mechanical and chemical stresses of a washing process can cause the detachment of “microfibers” from the yarns composing a fabric, which cannot be completely removed by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Also, WWTPs should have an important role as barriers for the entrance of microplastics into aquatic environments, particularly for microfibers from the washing of synthetic clothes. The Canadian company Environmental Enhancements is selling the Lint LUV-R Washing Machine Discharge Filter as a device capable of screening out synthetic microplastic particulates, but no studies on its actual efficiencies are available. In conclusion, an effective prevention of microplastic release from the washing processes of synthetic clothes can be achieved only by applying mitigation actions at different stages including textile design, finishing treatments, washing method, and the treatment at WWTPs.