Microplastics in Wastewater by Washing Polyester Fabrics

Šaravanja, Ana; Pušić, Tanja; Dekanić, Tihana

doi:10.3390/ma15072683

Cited by 55 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Polyethylene is one of the most commonly used polymers worldwide, and is widely used to produce consumer products, such as plastic bags and food containers [47,48]. Polyester fiber has been the raw material for producing various cloths, textiles, and carpets [49]. These fibers are largely leached out during their use, and washing and wearing processes as PE and polyester MPs, and eventually enter the environment [50,51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers

Song³

et al. 2022

Toxics

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As a potential threat to human health, ingestion of microplastics (MPs) has become of concern. Limited studies have carefully characterized the occurrence of MPs in polypropylene-made takeout food containers (TOFCs), which have been widely used in China. In this study, TOFC samples (n = 210) were collected from seven Chinese cities (Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xining, Chengdu, Qingdao, and Dalian) and analyzed for MPs. All the TOFC samples contained MPs, with an abundance of 3–43 items/TOFC. The TOFCs from Chengdu (25 items/TOFC) contained the highest mean abundance of MPs, which is significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that from Shanghai (8.7 items/TOFC). Fiber accounted for 66–87% of the total for the shape of the MPs in the TOFCs from the different Chinese cities. Most of the MPs in the TOFCs from the different cities had a size of 201–500 μm and accounted for a mean 34–42% of the total MPs in the TOFCs. The major color type of the MPs in the TOFCs was transparent, accounting for a mean 39 (Qingdao)–73% (Hangzhou) of the total MPs. Polymer compositions of the MPs in the TOFCs were consistently dominated by polypropylene, which represented a mean 56–73% of the total MPs. The estimated daily intake of MPs for the general Chinese population through using TOFCs was in the range of 0.042–0.14 items/kg bw/day. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study investigating the occurrence of MPs in TOFCs from China, which contributes to a better understanding of the sources of human oral exposure to MPs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers

Song³

et al. 2022

Toxics

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“…However, possibly due to differences in methodologies there are conflicting results within the studies and "influence of knit structure [on microfiber shedding] is not entirely clear". 78 Increasing the stitch density and therefore increasing the tightness factor of the fabric has been shown to reduce the microfibers shed during laundering due to the tighter structure lowering the probability of fibers slipping out of the structure. 63 This is also shown by looser structured knits shedding more fibers when compared to tighter knit structures.…”

Section: Cellulose Textiles Released Fewer Microfibers Than Synthetic...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfiber Pollution: A Systematic Literature Review to Overcome the Complexities in Knit Design to Create Solutions for Knit Fabrics

Allen,

Henninger,

Garforth

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The absence of standardized procedures to assess microfiber pollution released during laundering, alongside textile complexities, has caused incomparability and inconsistency between published methodologies, data formats, and presentation of findings. Yet, this information needs to be clear and succinct to engage producers and consumers in reducing microfiber pollution through solutions, such as eco-design. This review analyses source directed interventions through design and manufacturing parameters that can prevent or reduce microfiber shedding from knit fabrics during washing. Contradicting results are critically evaluated and future research agendas, alongside potential areas for voluntary and involuntary sustainable incentives are summarized. To do this, a systematic review was carried out, using the PRISMA approach to verify which fabrics had been investigated in terms of microfiber shedding. Using selected keywords, a total number of 32 articles were included in this review after applying carefully developed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The influence of fabric parameters such as fiber polymer, length of fibers and yarn twist alongside fabric construction parameters such as gauge of knit and knit structure are critically evaluated within the systematically selected studies. This review highlights the agreed upon fabric parameters and constructions that can be implemented to reduce microfiber pollution released from knit textiles. The complexities and inconsistencies within the findings are streamlined to highlight the necessary future research agendas. This information is critical to facilitate the adoption of cross-industry collaboration to achieve pollution reduction strategies and policies. We call for more systematic studies to assess the relationship between individual textile parameters and their influence on microfiber shedding. Additionally, studies should work toward standardization to increase comparability between studies and created more comprehensive guidelines for policy development and voluntary actions for the textile and apparel industry to participate in addressing more sustainable practises through eco-design.

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“…Due to their loose non-woven structure, the fibers are easily degraded to microplastic as the structure's integrity is weak. 30 Textile production should focus more on designing fabrics with a recycling mindset toward the reduction of microfiber pollution. For instance, fabrics should be constructed with a dense structure, since this tight structure is less prone to microfiber release.…”

Section: Environmental Concerns About Textile Wastementioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in recycling technologies for waste textile fabrics: a review

Baloyi,

Gbadeyan,

Sithole

et al. 2023

Textile Research Journal

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The fast fashion trends in the textile industry have resulted in high consumption of fiber with concomitant generation of waste. Awareness of environmental pollution resulting from textile production and disposal has increased significantly. This increase has pushed research activities toward more sustainable recycling alternatives to properly handle the end-of-life of textiles. This review provides an overview of existing technologies, the latest developments, and research studies on the recycling technologies employed in the textile industry. Different types of recycling—mechanical, chemical, and biochemical recycling of standard fabrics used in garments, cotton, wool, polyester, polyamide 6 6, and acrylic—are explored. Recent advances in recycling technologies such as advanced sorting techniques, innovative chemical processing, and emerging biochemical processes are revealed. The review also highlights efforts being made by various agencies and companies in facilitating and employing the technologies on a commercial scale. Various methods for efficient textile waste sorting and identification are also discussed. The reviewed studies revealed that most recycling technologies were conducted on post-industrial textile waste, which tends to be homogenous in the types of dyes and fibers present in the waste. It also suggested that post-consumer textiles could be recycled using chemical and biological options that have the potential to valorize the waste into high-value products.

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Microplastics in Wastewater by Washing Polyester Fabrics

Cited by 55 publications

References 83 publications

Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers

Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers

Microfiber Pollution: A Systematic Literature Review to Overcome the Complexities in Knit Design to Create Solutions for Knit Fabrics

Recent advances in recycling technologies for waste textile fabrics: a review

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