We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Discharge of microplastics fibres from wet wipes in aquatic and solid environments under different release conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how wet wipes release microplastic fibers under different conditions, including rubbing on hands and immersion in water. They found that wet wipes released significantly more polyester microfibers when submerged in water (up to 1,966 fibers per sheet when wet) compared to being rubbed on hands or solid surfaces. The findings suggest that flushing wet wipes poses a substantially greater risk of microplastic pollution to aquatic environments than disposal in regular waste.
This study warns regarding the possibility of microplastics (MPs) release from wet wipes and further in the environment and examines the potential associated risks. The exposure of humans to MPs during cleaning, and their discharge into wastewater treatment processes through flushing in toilets/basins was simulated by rubbing wet wipes on hands and immersing them in water, respectively. Wet wipes can be stored in a waste bin and subsequently disposed of through waste treatment or directly disposed in aquatic environments. The released MPs were identified and quantified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The released MPs were in the fibre form, and their major component was polyester. A higher number of MP fibres (693-1066 p/sheet) was released when the wet wipe was exposed to the aquatic environment compared to rubbing the wet wipe on hands or solid materials (180-106 p/sheet) or both. In particular, wet wipes in the wet state released the highest number (1966 p/sheet) of MP fibres. Unexpectedly, the least number of MP fibres was released by rubbing them on the hands/solid (180-200 p/sheet). Most fibres (>90%) were more than 100 μm, and those above 300 μm accounted for more than 40%-60% of the total number of detected MP fibres. This implies that long MP fibres released into the environment could disrupt the health of the aquatic ecosystem owing to their bioaccumulation, retention time, intestinal toxicity, and the transfer of persistent organic matter to aquatic organisms.
More Papers Like This
Lifecycle of a Wipe: Determining the Contamination, Fate, and Transformation of Wet Wipe Pollution in the Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Plastic wet wipes are a significant but underappreciated source of microplastic pollution in urban waterways, largely because many products are mislabeled as "flushable" despite being made of synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyester. Researchers collected hundreds of wipes from a London river and showed that 99% were plastic, and lab experiments confirmed that wipes break apart into microplastics when wet — with polypropylene shedding more particles than polyester. Better labeling and stricter industry standards are needed to prevent these products from entering sewer systems and ultimately fragmenting into the microplastic particles found throughout aquatic environments.
Wet wipes contribution to microfiber contamination under COVID-19 era: An important but overlooked problem
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers highlight that the surge in wet wipe use during COVID-19 — for disinfection and medical purposes — has become an overlooked but significant source of microfiber pollution, with wipes already turning up in marine plastic litter surveys. They call for dedicated studies on how different wipe materials shed fibers and degrade under environmental conditions to fully account for pandemic-related plastic pollution.
Microfiber shedding from nonwoven materials including wipes and meltblown nonwovens in air and water environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested 15 commercial nonwoven wipes and 16 meltblown materials and found that fiber composition and bonding method strongly control microfiber shedding in both water and air, with meltblown fabrics releasing fewer fibers and reduced cellulosic content correlating with lower shedding rates.
Assessment of Wet Wipes and their Environmental Significance – A Review Article
AI summary Read the abstract
This review assessed the environmental significance of wet wipes, which are typically made of non-woven synthetic materials and are one of the fastest-growing consumer products worldwide. The study examined how wipes shed microplastic fibers into the environment and contribute to waterway pollution.
The role of wet wipes and sanitary towels as a source of white microplastic fibres in the marine environment
AI summary Read the abstract
White microplastic fibers found near a wastewater outfall were chemically matched to fibers from commercially available wet wipes and sanitary towels, many of which are made from polyester and polypropylene rather than natural materials. The study identifies these flushed personal hygiene products as a direct source of white synthetic fibers in coastal marine sediments.
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.