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An Introduction to Microfiber Pollution
Summary
Microfibers are a subcategory of microplastics and one of the most abundant plastic shapes found in environmental samples worldwide. This introductory chapter reviews the definitions, types, and environmental impacts of microfibers, highlighting that their small size and fibrous form make them particularly persistent and widely distributed. Addressing microfiber pollution urgently is important given how readily they are ingested by wildlife and potentially humans through air, water, and food.
Microfibers, a subclass of microplastics, were detailed for their types and environmental impacts. Among the several shapes of microplastics, the proportion of microfiber was found to be higher. The chapter is structured to communicate the basic understanding of terms and definitions along with the magnitude of the issue to the readers. The first part of the chapter details the different definitions of microfiber that various researchers derive. The latter parts detail different types of microfibers and their abundance and impact, as discussed in the literature. Additionally, the chapter consolidates the necessity of addressing this issue immediately.
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