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04 | Fast fashion and environmental pollution: implications for One Health
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This review of 27 studies finds that our cheap, fast-fashion clothing habit is polluting the planet in ways that could come back to affect us: washing synthetic fabrics sheds tiny plastic fibers that break down into microplastics, which can soak up toxic chemicals like dyes and heavy metals and eventually make their way into our food and water. While more research is needed to fully understand the health risks, the researchers argue that smarter recycling, stricter regulations, and buying fewer, longer-lasting clothes could help reduce this growing environmental and health concern.
Background. Fast fashion has transformed the textile industry by promoting rapid production cycles, low-cost garments and increasing consumer demand. While this production model has improved clothing accessibility, it has also become a significant source of environmental pollution through intensive resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water use, textile waste generation and microplastic release. These environmental impacts may adversely affect both ecosystems and human health, emphasizing the need for a One Health approach. Materials and Methods. A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Twenty-seven English-language publications, including original articles and reports from international organizations published within the last 5–10 years, were selected using the keywords "fast fashion" AND "environmental pollution". The available evidence on environmental contamination and its potential implications for human health was critically reviewed and synthesized. Results. The available evidence indicates that the textile industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, intensive water consumption and textile waste generation. In addition, laundering of synthetic textiles represents an important source of microfibre release into the environment. These microfibres may degrade into microplastics capable of adsorbing and transporting hazardous substances, including dyes, heavy metals and phthalates. Their accumulation in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems may contribute to environmental degradation and increase human exposure through the food chain. The magnitude of these impacts is influenced by the effectiveness of textile waste management systems and environmental protection policies. Conclusions. Fast fashion represents an emerging environmental and public health challenge. A One Health approach integrating sustainable production, responsible consumption, effective textile waste management and environmental protection is essential to mitigate its long-term impact. Strengthening regulatory policies and promoting circular economy strategies should be considered priorities to reduce the environmental and health burden associated with the textile industry.
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This review traces how the fast fashion industry contributes to microplastic pollution through the production, laundering, and disposal of synthetic textiles. Researchers found that microplastic fibers released from clothing bypass wastewater treatment and accumulate in human organs including the liver, lungs, and brain. The study highlights urgent gaps in understanding airborne textile microplastic emissions and calls for changes in textile design to reduce fiber release.
Paying the Price: The Real Cost of Fast Fashion
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Fast fashion isn't just cheap clothes—it's a major source of pollution, including microplastics that shed from synthetic fabrics and end up in our water, food, and potentially our bodies. This video breaks down why we're drawn to buying so many clothes (think social media pressure and rock-bottom prices) and offers real solutions, from pushing companies to be more responsible to simple changes you can make in your own closet. The takeaway: your clothing choices ripple outward, affecting the environment and possibly your health in ways that are easy to overlook.
Circular Fashion: Creating a Sustainable Clothing Economy
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This review paper looks at how our clothing habits—especially cheap, disposable "fast fashion"—contribute to pollution, climate change, and microplastic contamination that can end up in our water and even our bodies. The researchers found that "circular fashion" (clothes designed to be repaired, resold, or recycled instead of thrown away) could significantly cut this waste and pollution, but new recycling technologies are still expensive and not yet widely available. The takeaway: buying fewer, longer-lasting clothes and supporting repair/resale options isn't just good for the planet—it may also reduce the microplastic pollution linked to pot
The Health Impact of Fast Fashion: Exploring Toxic Chemicals in Clothing and Textiles
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This review examines the hidden health risks of fast fashion, finding that modern clothing often contains hazardous chemicals including heavy metal dyes, antimicrobial agents that promote bacterial resistance, and synthetic fibers that shed microplastics. Evidence indicates these substances can contribute to chronic skin conditions, hormonal disruptions, and potential cancer risk through prolonged skin contact. The authors call for stricter regulation and safer textile technologies to protect consumers from chemical exposure through their clothing.
The Health Impact of Fast Fashion: Exploring Toxic Chemicals in Clothing and Textiles
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This review examines the health impacts of hazardous chemicals embedded in modern clothing, including dyes with heavy metals, antimicrobial agents that may foster bacterial resistance, and synthetic fibers that release microplastics. The study highlights that these substances may contribute to chronic skin conditions, hormonal disruptions, and other health concerns, calling for safer textile technologies, stricter regulations, and greater consumer awareness.
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