Abstract
Microplastics in the environment are a subject of intense research as they pose a potential threat to marine organisms. Plastic fibers from textiles have been indicated as a major source of this type of contaminant, entering the oceans via wastewater and diverse non-point sources. Their presence is also documented in terrestrial samples. In this study, the amount of microfibers shedding from synthetic textiles was measured for three materials (acrylic, nylon, polyester), knit using different gauges and techniques. All textiles were found to shed, but polyester fleece fabrics shed the greatest amounts, averaging 7360 fibers/m−2/L−1 in one wash, compared with polyester fabrics which shed 87 fibers/m−2/L−1. We found that loose textile constructions shed more, as did worn fabrics, and high twist yarns are to be preferred for shed reduction. Since fiber from clothing is a potentially important source of microplastics, we suggest that smarter textile construction, prewashing and vacuum exhaustion at production sites, and use of more efficient filters in household washing machines could help mitigate this problem.
Highlights
Plastic production has increased rapidly since production began in the 1940s and current production in excess of 311 million tons (Org. 2015)
The results presented in this study provide a strong indication that the shedding of fibers from clothing during washing is an important emitter of microplastics; our results, together with newly reported levels of shedding from fabrics (Napper and Thompson 2016; Pirc et al 2016), confirm that previously reported levels were underestimated (Browne et al 2011a)
We find several potential points of release of fibers from fabrics, i.e., during production, which could be improved using straight forward strategies
Summary
Plastic production has increased rapidly since production began in the 1940s and current production in excess of 311 million tons (Org. 2015). Numerous studies demonstrate the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in various compartments of the environment including in water, sediment, terrestrial soil, and biota (Andrady 2011; Browne et al 2011a, b; Cole et al 2011; Collignon et al 2012; Duis and Coors 2016; Enders et al 2015; Lusher et al 2013). These microplastics are thought to be hazardous to marine organisms (Della Torre et al 2014; Lee et al 2013; Lu et al 2016; Rochman et al 2013; Rochman et al 2014; Wright et al 2013). Objects larger than 5 mm in size which typically include plastic litter, will weather and fragment in the environment to form microplastic particles (Lambert and Wagner 2016; Weinstein et al 2016), but microplastics are known to enter directly into the environment from multiple sources and routes, including road run off, waste water treatment plants (sewage), and potentially artificial turf (Browne et al 2011a; Magnusson et al 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
