We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Cooperative Work is Needed Between Textile Scientists and Environmental Scientists to Tackle the Problems of Pollution by Microfibers
AI summary Read the abstract
This commentary argued that effectively tackling microfiber pollution from synthetic textiles requires collaboration between textile scientists and environmental researchers, as neither field alone has the expertise to address both fiber shedding mechanisms and downstream environmental impacts.
It is clear that plastic pollution is a severe problem in the ocean. Photographs document beaches all around the world covered with plastic bottles, bags, straws, etc. (e.g. Gregory 2009, figs 1-3). Billions of pieces of plastic are floating in the oceans. Their effects are also sufficiently well-known: marine animals swallow them or get tangled up in them, which causes many of them to die. Hundreds of scientific reports (Gall and Thompson, 2015; Rochman et al., 2016) demonstrate the many ways in which plastic is maiming and killing marine animals. One particularly insidious form of plastic pollution that does not appear in the pictures is microplastics, which are tiny pieces ranging from a few millimeters in size down to microscopic. Microplastics come from various sources including the breaking-up of larger plastic pieces, pre-production pellets, and microbeads that are added to personal care products for their abrasive qualities. Microbeads have been banned in personal care products in some countries, including the US, Holland and Canada (Indy100.com)
More Papers Like This
Textile and Apparel Industry Addresses Emerging Issue of Microfiber Pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
This overview from the textile and apparel industry reviews the emerging issue of microfiber pollution, describing how synthetic fabrics shed tiny plastic fibers during laundering that pass through wastewater treatment systems into waterways. It calls for cross-disciplinary collaboration between environmental scientists, textile engineers, and apparel brands to develop effective solutions.
From production to pollution: a review of microfiber release mechanisms and mitigation strategies in the textile industry
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the origins, pathways, and environmental impacts of microfiber pollution from the textile industry. Researchers found that microfibers are released during both textile manufacturing and garment use, and that solutions include biodegradable fiber development, washing machine filtration systems, and advanced wastewater treatment. The study emphasizes that collaboration among industry, governments, research institutions, and consumers is critical to reducing microfiber release.
Unraveling the ecological impact of textile microfibers: Current knowledge and research challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the ecological impact of textile microfibers, a major subset of microplastic pollution released during laundry and fabric wear. Researchers found significant knowledge gaps regarding how these fibers affect organisms and ecosystems, particularly when interacting with other environmental contaminants. The study calls for more standardized research methods and greater attention to this pervasive but understudied form of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic pollution from textiles: A literature review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the current state of knowledge on microplastic pollution, focusing specifically on synthetic microfibre shedding from textiles during washing and the significance of this source for marine and freshwater contamination.
Assessment of Microplastics in the Environment – Fibres: the Disregarded Twin?
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper argues that synthetic fibers are systematically underestimated in environmental microplastic monitoring because they are often excluded from sampling protocols. Since synthetic textiles are ubiquitous and shed fibers through washing and wear, ignoring fibers means current assessments substantially undercount total microplastic environmental pollution.
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.