Release of Side-Chain Fluorinated Polymer-Containing Microplastic Fibers from Functional Textiles During Washing and First Estimates of Perfluoroalkyl Acid Emissions

Abstract

The quantity and composition of fibers released from functional textiles during accelerated washing were investigated using the GyroWash method. Two fabrics [polyamide (PA) and polyester/cotton (PES/CO)] were selected and coated with perfluorohexane-based side-chain fluorinated polymers. Fibers released during washing ranged from ∼10 to 500 μ with a similar distribution for the two textile types. The PA-based fabric released considerably more fibers >20 μm in length compared to the PES/CO-based fabric (>1000/ GyroWash for PA vs ∼200/GyroWash fibers for PES/CO). After one GyroWash (2−15 domestic washes), fibers that contained approximately 240 and 1300 μg total fluorine per square meter (μg F/m 2 ) were released from the PA and PES/CO fabrics, respectively. Current understanding of the fate of microplastic fibers suggests that a large fraction of these fibers reach the environment either in effluent wastewater or sewage sludge applied to land. In the environment, the fluorinated side chains will be slowly cleaved from the backbone of the side-chain fluorinated polymers coated on the fibers and then transformed into short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids. On the European scale, emissions of up to ∼0.7 t of fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) per year were estimated for outdoor rain jackets treated with fluorotelomerbased side-chain fluorinated polymers.

Washing Machine Filters Reduce Microfiber Emissions: Evidence From a Community-Scale Pilot in Parry Sound, Ontario

“…Thus, filters reduced emissions of microfibers to ecosystems via final effluent and sewage sludge. Since textiles can also carry chemical contaminants into wastewater, these filters may also reduce emissions of chemical pollutants such as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) (Saini et al, 2016;Schellenberger et al, 2019). As such, this study prevented emissions of microfibers and other particles/chemicals to Lake Huron and other local waterbodies.…”

Combustion ion chromatography for extractable organofluorine analysis

“…(2020) , Gehrenkemper et al, 2021 , Wagner et al. (2013) Inorganic fluorine Schellenberger et al. (2019) Organofluorine Yeung et al.…”

Plastic microfibre pollution: how important is clothes’ laundering?

“…Among the latter, we may cite softening agents, dyes, anti-wrinkle substances and water repellents. The latter may be toxic fluorinated compounds, which have been shown to resist washing and to remain on the released microfibres (Schellenberger et al, 2019). Pigments are incorporated into plastics to give the required colour.…”