Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale

Researchers developed a low-cost, high-throughput method for quantifying microplastic fibers shed during textile washing tests, introducing a new fibre fragmentation scale to standardize measurements. The method significantly reduces analysis time compared to the recommended gravimetric approach, which takes over 8 hours per specimen batch. The study aims to help the textile industry design and select lower-shedding materials by making standard testing more accessible and practical.

2024 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Shedding from Textiles—Developing Analytical Method for Measurement of Shed Material Representing Release during Domestic Washing

Researchers developed an analytical method to measure microplastic shedding from textiles during domestic washing, identifying key methodological variables that explain the large variation in shedding measurements across prior studies and proposing a standardized approach for more comparable results.

2018 Sustainability 109 citations
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R0/PR2

This recommendation paper accompanies a proposed fibre fragmentation scale for measuring microplastic release from textiles during washing, aiming to establish consistent test methods that enable textile designers to reduce fibre shedding.

2024
Article Tier 2

Reliable quantification of microplastic release from the domestic laundry of textile fabrics

This study identified major sources of variation in methods used to quantify microplastic fiber release from textile laundry, recommending a standardized testing protocol to enable reliable comparisons across fabrics, machines, and washing conditions.

2021 Journal of the Textile Institute 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles; a source of microplastics released into the environment

Researchers quantified the shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles during simulated washing, finding that fabric type, age, and wash conditions significantly affected fiber release, and establishing a quantitative basis for estimating textile-derived microplastic inputs.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 590 citations
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R1/PR5

This recommendation paper outlines a low-cost, high-throughput protocol for quantifying microplastics shed from textiles during washing, designed for use by labs without specialized equipment. The method standardizes fiber fragmentation testing to support textile industry comparisons.

2024
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R0/PR1

This methods paper proposes a simple visual grading scale — analogous to colour fastness cards used in the textile industry — to make fibre fragmentation testing faster and cheaper without losing accuracy. Standardising how synthetic textiles are tested for microfibre shedding is critical for designing lower-polluting fabrics and reducing one of the main sources of microplastic fibres entering waterways through laundry.

2023
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R1/PR4

This author comment introduces three new test methods using standard laundering equipment for quantifying microplastic fibers released from textiles, and proposes a gravimetric analysis approach to enable comparisons across labs and fabric types. The commentary discusses the limitations of current high-throughput quantification methods and proposes the fibre fragmentation scale as a standard metric.

2024
Article Tier 2

Study on the Relationship between Textile Microplastics Shedding and Fabric Structure

Researchers investigated the relationship between textile fabric structure and microplastic shedding during washing, finding that fabric type, weave pattern, and mechanical stress significantly influence the number of microfibers released.

2022 Polymers 23 citations
Article Tier 2

The contribution of washing processes of synthetic clothes to microplastic pollution

Real-scale wash trials of synthetic commercial garments measured microfiber release per wash, finding that release varied significantly with textile type, structure, and age, with some items releasing over 700,000 fibers per wash. The study quantifies the contribution of synthetic textile washing to microplastic pollution and identifies fiber characteristics that govern release rates.

2019 Scientific Reports 752 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines: Effects of fabric type and washing conditions

Researchers measured synthetic microfiber release from domestic washing machines in real household conditions, finding that millions of fibers are shed per wash cycle, with fiber release influenced by fabric type and wash parameters.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1556 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Release from Domestic Washing

Researchers measured microfiber release from domestic washing of textile materials across five washing cycles, finding that the amount of microplastic fiber shed varied significantly with washing conditions and fiber type, contributing to aquatic microplastic pollution.

2021 European Journal of Science and Technology 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Microplastics Released Based on Polyester Fabric Construction during Washing and Drying

Researchers characterized microplastic fiber release from polyester fabrics during washing and drying, finding that fabric construction type significantly influences fiber shedding rates, with looser fabric structures releasing substantially more microplastic fibers per wash cycle.

2021 Polymers 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of microplastic release caused by textile washing processes of synthetic fabrics

This study evaluated microplastic fiber release caused by washing synthetic fabrics, finding that washing processes generate substantial quantities of microfibers and that fabric construction affects release rates, with implications for filtering strategies.

2017 Environmental Pollution 686 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of shedding propensity of polyesterfabrics in the washing process

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.

2024 The holistic approach to environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of different microplastic fibres discharged from textiles in machine wash and tumble drying

Researchers quantified synthetic microplastic fibre emissions from five sequential machine washes and tumble dryings of synthetic fabrics, finding that fibre release decreased with successive washes and that two commercial in-machine fibre traps varied substantially in their collection efficiency, with implications for reducing domestic microplastic emissions.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 105 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and morphological characterization of microfibers emitted from textile washing

Textile microfibers released during washing machine cycles were quantified and characterized, with the study finding that fiber type, fabric construction, and wash conditions all influenced emission quantities. The results confirm textile washing as a significant and ongoing source of microplastic fiber pollution in wastewater.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 49 citations
Article Tier 2

A Feasible and Efficient Monitoring Method of Synthetic Fibers Released during Textile Washing

Researchers developed and validated a feasible monitoring method for quantifying synthetic microfibers released from textiles during washing, addressing the need for standardized protocols to measure microfiber emissions. The method provided reproducible results for collecting and characterizing microfibers from wash effluent to support emission modeling.

2024 Microplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics release from polyester fabrics: The impact of different washing conditions

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.

2020 Environmental Pollution 147 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel approach for rapid quantification and length distribution of microfibers released during domestic laundry.

Researchers developed a novel rapid method for directly quantifying microfibers released during domestic laundry and deriving their length distribution density function, addressing the lack of standardized quantification approaches for this significant source of microfiber pollution.

2025 Journal of hazardous materials
Article Tier 2

Decision: Low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastics released from textile wash tests: Introducing the fibre fragmentation scale — R0/PR3

Researchers introduce a fibre fragmentation scale to support low-cost, high-throughput quantification of microplastic fibre shedding from textiles during washing, providing a standardized tool for industry to design lower-shedding products.

2024
Article Tier 2

Designing out microplastic pollution released from textiles and apparel during laundering

This study explored source-directed design and manufacturing interventions to reduce microplastic fiber release from synthetic textiles during washing, using standardized wash tests to quantify shedding from fabric surfaces and edges. Structural fabric design modifications were identified as effective strategies to reduce microplastic fiber shedding at the point of manufacture.

2024 Cambridge Prisms Plastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics' emissions: Microfibers’ detachment from textile garments

Researchers measured microfiber detachment rates from finished textile garments during normal laundering and found that garments shed between 175 and 560 microfibers per gram of fabric, or 30,000 to 465,000 microfibers per square meter. They found a strong correlation between microfiber release and the textile's surface density. The study also provides standardized reporting units to improve comparability across research, an important step given the current lack of methodological consensus in textile microfiber studies.

2019 Environmental Pollution 261 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Synthetic Fabrics on the Release of Microplastics during Washing and Drying

Researchers investigated how the physical and chemical properties of synthetic fabrics influence microplastic fiber release during washing and drying, finding that fabric construction, fiber type, and surface treatment are key determinants of the quantity and characteristics of released microplastic particles.

2022 Polymers 26 citations