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Quantification and Health Assessment of Microfiber Contamination in Selected Textile Processing Units of Punjab, Pakistan
Summary
Air and water sampling across Punjab textile industries found the highest microfiber concentrations in Sheikhupura facilities, with knitting sections showing a hazard index of 1.26—above the threshold indicating potential health risk—while FTIR identified polypropylene as the dominant fiber polymer at 28%. This occupational and environmental assessment highlights textile manufacturing as a significant point-source of microfiber pollution, with direct implications for worker health and downstream water contamination.
Microfibers (MFs) constitute small pieces of plastics produced as byproducts during the production processes of commercial products and further degradation of bulk polymers. Environmental impacts, as well as the hazard to biodiversity, are both threatened by MF pollution. Microfibers with vast utilization in the textile sector pose severe environmental and worker’s health concerns in many units of Punjab. This study aims to assess the microfiber's exposure and health risk in various textile industries in Punjab. Air and water samples were taken from inside and outside of selected textile industries in the Punjab province. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy was also used for the identification of microfiber polymers. Hazard index was calculated for over health risk of microfiber pollution. The results revealed that the highest concentration of microfibers was detected in Sheikhupura’s textile industries followed by Lahore. Among all the sections of textile industries, knitting section exhibited the highest microfiber detection /concentration. Hazard index values for air exposure in all the sections were below 1, except knitting section. Knitting section exhibited hazard index value of 1.26, indicating a potential health risk. Hazard index for wastewater and drinking water remained below 0, suggesting safe exposure levels. FTIR analyses revealed the type of MFs such as polybutylene terephthalate (3.13%), polypropylene standard (28.13%), polyisobutylene (12.5%), vinyl chloride (12.5%), polyethylene terephthalate (31.25%), low density polyethylene (3.13), and polyesters (9.38%). The most widespread were polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, the ones mostly utilized in various daily-use products all over the globe.