Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Simulated degradation of differently manufactured polyester fibres released from laundry

This study examined how simulated UV and mechanical degradation affects the release and properties of polyester microfibers from differently manufactured fabrics during laundry, finding that fiber structure and manufacturing method influence fragmentation rates and fragment characteristics.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Impact of Artificial Ageing on Microfibre Release from Polyester Textiles

This study assessed how artificial ageing through UV exposure and repeated washing affects microfiber release from polyester textiles, finding that ageing significantly increases the number and changes the characteristics of shed microfibers.

2024 1 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

Characterization of fiber fragments released from polyester textiles during UV weathering

Researchers characterized fiber fragments released from polyester textiles during UV weathering, identifying weathering as an additional pathway for microplastic fiber generation beyond the commonly studied laundry washing mechanism.

2023 Environmental Pollution 51 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

Characterization of microfibers released from chemically modified polyester fabrics — A step towards mitigation

This study characterized microfibers released from chemically modified polyester fabrics during abrasion, finding that surface treatments altered fiber release rates and morphology. The results inform strategies to reduce microfiber pollution from synthetic textiles at the manufacturing and use stages.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Weave structures of polyester fabric affect the tensile strength and microplastic fiber emission during the laundry process

Researchers found that polyester fabric weave structure affects both tensile strength and microplastic fiber shedding during laundry, with satin and twill weaves showing higher warp-direction strength, and quantified how fiber release varies by weave type at different washing stages.

2025 Scientific Reports 4 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

Impact of textile composition, structure, and treatment on microplastic release during washing: a review

This review analyzed how textile composition, yarn structure, and fabric treatment affect microplastic release during washing, finding that natural and blended fabrics often shed more microfibers than pure synthetics. Woven fabrics released fewer microplastics than knitted structures, and finishing treatments also influenced shedding rates.

2024 Textile Research Journal 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterisation of microplastic fibres and their degradation under environmental conditions

This study investigated how UV radiation and mechanical stress degrade common synthetic microfibers including polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which represent the largest fraction of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments. Understanding how fibers degrade helps predict their persistence and how their physical properties change as they age in the environment.

2019 Duo Research Archive (University of Oslo) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Differences in the release of microplastic fibers and fibrils from virgin and recycled polyester textiles

Researchers compared microplastic fiber and fibril release from virgin versus mechanically recycled polyester textiles during abrasion testing. They analyzed four pairs of commercially available textiles that were identical except for the type of polyester used. The findings provide important data for understanding whether the growing use of recycled polyester in clothing changes the amount or character of microplastic shedding during wear.

2024 Resources Conservation and Recycling 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Physiochemical Degradation of Plastic Fibers from Synthetic Fabrics and Effect of Natural Organic Matter in Aquatic Environments on Nanoplastics’ Behavior

Researchers studied how laundry conditions affect microfiber release from synthetic fabrics and how UV irradiation and pH alter fabric degradation, then examined how natural organic matter (NOM) influences nanoplastic behavior in water. They found that degradation conditions significantly changed fiber release rates and that NOM modified nanoplastic aggregation and stability.

2025 OpenSIUC (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)
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

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

UV degradation of natural and synthetic microfibers causes fragmentation and release of polymer degradation products and chemical additives

Researchers exposed natural and synthetic microfibers to UV radiation and found that degradation caused the fibers to fragment into smaller particles while releasing polymer breakdown products and chemical additives. Polyester and polyamide fibers showed distinct degradation patterns, with different chemicals leaching depending on polymer type. The study highlights that microfiber degradation in the environment creates secondary pollution through both physical fragmentation and chemical release.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 267 citations
Article Tier 2

Microfiber Release to Water, Via Laundering, and to Air, via Everyday Use: A Comparison between Polyester Clothing with Differing Textile Parameters

Researchers measured microfiber release from polyester garments into both wash water and air during everyday wear, finding that release into air was comparable to or exceeded laundry release and was influenced by fabric structure, yarn type, and twist level.

2020 Environmental Science & Technology 404 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

Domestic laundry and microfiber pollution: Exploring fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles

Researchers measured microfiber shedding from a range of consumer apparel textiles during simulated laundry cycles, finding that fiber release varied substantially by fabric type, construction, and wash conditions, with polyester fleece releasing the most microfibers per wash.

2021 PLoS ONE 144 citations
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

Release of Microplastic Fibers from Polyester Knit Fleece during Abrasion, Washing, and Drying

Researchers studied how washing, drying, and mechanical abrasion of polyester fleece fabrics contribute to microplastic fiber release. They found that microplastic shedding increased through the first three to five wash cycles before stabilizing, and that a large proportion of released fibers originated as manufacturing residue. The study recommends practical measures including mesh filters in washing machines and factory prewashing to reduce microplastic fiber discharge into wastewater.

2025 ACS Omega 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Changes in Mechanical Properties of Fabrics Made of Standard and Recycled Polyester Yarns Due to Aging

This study compared how standard and recycled polyester fabrics age mechanically, finding that recycled polyester performs comparably to virgin polyester without developing additional surface cracking that could increase fiber shedding. Knowing whether recycled synthetic textiles shed more or fewer microplastic fibers during use and washing is important for evaluating the environmental trade-offs of textile recycling programs.

2023 Polymers 10 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

Formation of nanoparticles during accelerated UV degradation of fleece polyester textiles

Researchers investigated how UV degradation of fleece polyester textiles releases nanoparticles, finding that sunlight exposure generates significant quantities of nanoscale plastic particles. Both laboratory-simulated and real-world weathering conditions produced nanoparticle release, with particle counts increasing over time. The findings suggest that textile degradation from sun exposure, not just washing, is an important but overlooked source of nanoplastic pollution.

2024 NanoImpact 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of Aging on the Physical Properties of Knitted Polymeric Materials

Researchers exposed knitted polyester fabrics made from both conventional and recycled yarns to natural weathering and measured changes in their physical properties. They found that aging reduced fabric thickness, strength, and stretch, with recycled materials showing the largest decreases in strength and elongation. The findings suggest that as synthetic clothing wears down over time, it may release more microfibers into the environment.

2024 Polymers 4 citations