Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

A novel method for the isolation, characterisation, and quantification of nanoplastic fibres released from synthetic textiles during laundering

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.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

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

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

Comment on “Characterization of Nanoplastics, Fibrils, and Microplastics Released during Washing and Abrasion of Polyester Textiles”

This correspondence comments on methodological concerns in a prior study characterising nanoplastics, fibrils, and microplastics released during washing and abrasion of polyester textiles, raising questions about the characterisation methods and interpretation of results related to particle release quantification.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Nanoplastics, Fibrils, and Microplastics Released during Washing and Abrasion of Polyester Textiles

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.

2021 Environmental Science & Technology 168 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Wastewater by Washing Polyester Fabrics

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.

2022 Materials 139 citations
Article Tier 2

Formation of microplastic fibers and fibrils during abrasion of a representative set of 12 polyester textiles

Abrasion testing of representative polyester fabrics generated microplastic fibers and fibrils, with fiber characteristics reflecting the mechanical and chemical properties of the parent textile. The findings suggest that real-life wear and abrasion during use, not just laundering, is a significant pathway for microfiber release from synthetic textiles.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of GC/MS Pyrolysis for Assessment Residues of Textile Composites after Filtration of Washing and Rinsing Effluents

This study used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry pyrolysis to analyze microfiber residues left in wash and rinse water from synthetic textile laundering. Structural and processing parameters of the textiles affected how many microplastics were shed. The research contributes to understanding how laundry releases microplastic fibers into wastewater systems.

2022 Separations 7 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

An innovative evaluation method based on polymer mass detection to evaluate the contribution of microfibers from laundry process to municipal wastewater

Researchers developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to quantify polyester microplastic fibres released during clothes washing by measuring polyethylene terephthalate polymer mass, finding that laundry contributes a quantifiable and significant load of microplastic fibres to municipal wastewater treatment plants.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 74 citations
Article Tier 2

Spectroscopic Analysis of Microplastic Fibers Released During Laundry Washing Cycle

Researchers analyzed microplastic fibers released from synthetic textiles during laundry washing cycles using FTIR spectroscopy, demonstrating that spectroscopic identification of fiber polymer type is feasible and identifying key fiber release characteristics from different fabric types.

2023 Advanced Engineering Letters 4 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

Microfiber release from different fabrics during washing

This study quantified microfiber shedding from polyester, polyamide, and acrylic fabrics during washing, finding that fiber release depended on fabric construction and washing conditions, with up to tens of thousands of fibers released per wash.

2019 Environmental Pollution 249 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

Fibras Têxteis Sintéticas E a Liberação De Microplásticos: Uma Revisão

This review synthesizes published research on the release of microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles during domestic laundering, examining the mechanisms, quantities, and environmental fate of fiber shedding into waterways and the resulting risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health.

2022 MIX Sustentável 2 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

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
Article Tier 2

Effect of Washing Process on the Release of Microplastics from Polyester Fabrics

Researchers conducted an analytical evaluation of microplastic and fiber release from tri-color pile polyester fabrics during washing with detergent, employing multiple characterization methods on the fabric, wastewater, and filter cake before and after cryogenization to assess defragmentation and fiber shedding.

2025 Separations
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

Acrylic fabrics as a source of microplastics from portable washer and dryer: Impact of washing and drying parameters

Researchers quantified microfiber release from acrylic fabrics during washing and drying in a portable appliance under various conditions, finding that doubling wash or dry time approximately doubled fiber release and that using detergent increased release nearly 3-fold compared to water alone. Fiber release decreased across successive laundering cycles as the fabric shed its most loosely attached fibers early in its use life.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 45 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

Decoding microplastic shedding from cotton/polyester blends: An analysis through fiber identification

Researchers developed a chemical separation method to accurately quantify polyester shedding from cotton/polyester blend fabrics, distinguishing polyester from natural fiber microplastics. Testing various fabric structures showed that polyester staple fibers in blends shed substantially during use, providing more realistic microplastic estimates for everyday clothing and bedding.

2025 Environmental Pollution