We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Oligomers are a major fraction of the submicrometre particles released during washing of polyester textiles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that washing polyester textiles releases billions of submicrometre-sized particles per gram of fabric, but 34-89% of these tiny particles are actually plastic oligomers (short chemical chains) rather than solid plastic fragments. The number of particles released during washing correlated with how many were already present on the fiber surface before washing. This finding is significant because it means the nanoplastic pollution from laundry may be chemically different from what scientists assumed, potentially requiring different approaches to assess its health effects.
Abstract Synthetic textiles are a significant source of microplastic fibre pollution. While the microplastic fibre release mechanism during the washing of textiles is well studied, little is known about the release of nanoplastics. The first investigations on the nanoplastic fraction released during the washing and abrasion of polyester textiles have been published; however, questions were raised regarding the chemical composition of the observed submicrometre particles. Using a combination of analytical methods, we show here that 12 different polyester textiles released 4.6 × 10 10 to 8.9 × 10 11 particles per gram of textile during washing, with a mean size of 122–191 nm. The number of released submicrometre particles was not significantly influenced by the cutting method nor by the textile structure, but positively correlated ( P < 0.01) with the number of submicrometre particles present on the fibre surface before washing. We found that 34–89% of the extracted submicrometre particles were soluble in ethanol. These particles are most likely water-insoluble poly(ethylene terephthalate) oligomers. Our results clearly show the urgent need to better understand the contribution of water-insoluble oligomer particles to the pollution of the environment by anthropogenic nanoplastics.
More Papers Like This
Characterization of Nanoplastics, Fibrils, and Microplastics Released during Washing and Abrasion of Polyester Textiles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed the full range of plastic particles released during washing and physical abrasion of polyester textiles, including nanoplastics smaller than 1000 nanometers. They found that both washing and abrasion produced substantial numbers of nanoplastics and microfibers, with abrasion generating even finer fragments. The study highlights synthetic clothing as a significant and underappreciated source of very small plastic particles entering the environment.
Assessment of microplastics release from polyester fabrics: The impact of different washing conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic fiber release from polyester and polyamide fabrics during simulated washing, finding that fabric construction, fiber type, and washing conditions all influenced the quantity of fibers released. The study provides data to help quantify the contribution of laundry to microplastic emissions in wastewater.
Microplastics in Wastewater by Washing Polyester Fabrics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic fiber release from polyester fabrics during washing, characterizing the quantity and types of microplastics generated and their potential pathway into wastewater systems as a significant source of environmental microplastic pollution.
Quantification of shedding propensity of polyesterfabrics in the washing process
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified microplastic shedding from three polyester fabric types — woven, knitted, and double-faced plush — under standardized washing conditions at 60°C using gravimetric analysis and physicochemical characterization of wastewater over 5- and 10-cycle wash experiments. Results showed fabric structure influences shedding propensity, and that the majority of fragments are released during the first washing cycles.
A novel method for the isolation, characterisation, and quantification of nanoplastic fibres released from synthetic textiles during laundering
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a novel method for isolating, characterising, and quantifying nanoplastic fibres (NPFs) released during laundering of synthetic textiles — including acrylic, nylon, and polyester — enabling fibre size differentiation from the micro to the nano scale. The method addresses a significant gap in textile pollution research by providing a tool to study the understudied nanoplastic fraction of laundry-derived fibre emissions.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.