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Microfibers from textiles - A key source of microplastics to the environment: Fate, effects, and mitigation strategies
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Every time you wash synthetic clothes like polyester or nylon, tiny plastic fibers called microfibers shed into the water and eventually make their way into rivers, oceans, and even the air we breathe. This paper reviews existing research on how these fibers spread through the environment and what can be done to stop them—like better washing machine filters or improved fabric design—since these particles have been found in human blood, lungs, and organs, though scientists are still studying the full health impact.
This document is part of a series on key sources of micro- and nanoplastics to the environment.Paint: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20544299Pellets: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20544611Textiles: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20544594Tyres: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20544502Cosmetics: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20544650
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Microfibers from textiles - A key source of microplastics to the environment: Fate, effects, and mitigation strategies
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Every time you wash clothes, tiny plastic fibers called microfibers shed from fabrics like polyester and nylon and wash into our rivers and oceans. This review pulls together existing research showing these fibers are one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution—and since they can end up in the water we drink and the food we eat, scientists are working on ways to catch them before they spread, like better washing machine filters and improved fabric designs.
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This review focuses on fibrous microplastics released from synthetic textiles like polyester, which are the most common type of microplastic found in the environment. These fibers are shed during washing and wearing, are too small for most wastewater filters to catch, and persist in ecosystems for long periods. The review warns that data on the long-term health effects of fibrous microplastic exposure in humans is still very limited.
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