Microfibers shed from synthetic textiles during laundry: Flow to wastewater treatment plants or release to receiving waters through storm drains?

Jiang, Lu; Yin, Maozhong; Tang, Yankui; Dai, Runlan; Mo, Lihong; Yang, Weiwei; Liang, Yi; Huang, Kai

doi:10.1016/j.psep.2022.10.039

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Within this SLR 32 publications were analyzed, which are summarized in Table . Overall, three main areas of research were identified, in terms of how: Washing parameters impact the emissions of microfibers from knit fabrics (i.e., Cesa et al; Dalla Fontana et al; De Falco et al; Hazlehurst et al; Hernandez et al; Kelly et al; Lant et al; Rathinamoorthy and Raja Balasaraswathi; Napper and Thompson; De Falco et al; Volgare et al; Cotton et al; Jiang et al; Choi et al) ,− ,− Efficient microfiber traps can remove microfibers from laundry wastewater (i.e., Kärkkäinen and Sillanpää; Browne et al; De Falco et al; Napper et al) − Fabric parameters of knit fabrics influence microfiber shedding (i.e., Belzagui et al; Cesa et al; Zambrano et al; Carney Almroth et al; Hazlehurst et al; Rathinamoorthy and Raja Balasaraswathi; Rathinamoorthy and Raja Balasaraswathi; De Falco et al; Hernandez et al; Vassilenko et al; Özkan and Gündogdu; Raja Balasaraswathi and Rathinamoorthy; Napper and Thompson; Zambrano et al; Dalla Fontana et al; Frost et al; Cai et al; Choi et al) − ,,,,,,,− Standardization of test method for microfiber shedding from textiles (i.e., Hazlehurst et al; Jönsson et al) , …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Washing parameters impact the emissions of microfibers from knit fabrics (i.e., Cesa et al; Dalla Fontana et al; De Falco et al; Hazlehurst et al; Hernandez et al; Kelly et al; Lant et al; Rathinamoorthy and Raja Balasaraswathi; Napper and Thompson; De Falco et al; Volgare et al; Cotton et al; Jiang et al; Choi et al) ,− ,− …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Zambrano et al found that “fabrics made of cellulose-based fibers (cotton and rayon) release[d] more microfibers than polyester during laundering”, which was owed to yarn and fiber physio-chemical properties. Within the systematically selected studies, research that examined yarn and fiber physio-chemical properties theorized that fiber fragments release was a correlation to the yarns tendency to pill formation. ,, Polyester was said to have a higher yarn breaking strength and abrasion resistance, which led to less fiber fragments being released compared to cellulose-based fibers . This was echoed by Choi et al who found when keeping the knit structure consistent, and thus assessing the physical properties of fabrics that affect fiber release, polyester released the highest amount of fiber fragments during washing followed by acrylic and nylon.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…MPFs have been found in different environmental media globally, including seawater, seafloor sediments, estuaries, wastewater treatment plants, shores, and various organisms [ 38 ]. According to a report by Boucher and Friot [ 39 ], MPFs account for 34–35% of the overall presence of MPs in marine environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Textile Type, Textile Weight, and Detergent Dosage on Microfiber Emissions from Top-Loading Washing Machines

Julapong,

Srichonphaisarn,

Meekoch

et al. 2024

Toxics

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The use of washing machines to wash textiles gradually breaks down synthetic fibers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PES) in diverse clothing materials, a process that is growing in notoriety because it generates microplastics (MPs). In this study, we investigated the emission of microfibers, including both microplastic fibers (MPFs) and natural fibers (MFs), from top-loading washing machines. Our investigation focused on four popular textiles with prevalent weave structures (plain, satin, and twill): (i) PES, (ii) tetron cotton (TC), (iii) chief value cotton (CVC), and (iv) cotton (CO) fabrics. This study also examined the effects of textile weight and detergent dosage on MF emissions. After washing, MFs were collected through filtration, and their concentrations were determined using micro-Fourier Transform Interferometry (μFTIR). The results showed varying concentrations of MFs in the washing effluent depending on the type of textile. Specifically, CVC exhibited the highest emission at 4022 particles/L, followed by TC, PES, and CO at 2844 particles/L, 2382 particles/L, and 2279 particles/L, respectively. The hydrophobic nature of PES makes this type of textile prone to rapid degradation in detergent-rich environments, leading to high MF emissions. Additionally, the mechanical properties of textiles, such as tensile and bending strengths, may play a crucial role in the generation of MFs in washing machines. Textiles made of CO with twill weaves demonstrated superior strength and correlated with lower emissions of MFs. In comparison, textiles made of CVC and satin weave exhibited lower mechanical properties, which could explain their high emissions of MFs. Finally, the MF emissions of textiles composed of PES and TC, which are plain weaved, could be attributed to their intermediate mechanical properties compared with those of CVC and CO.

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Microplastics: a review of their impacts on different life forms and their removal methods

Dad

Khan

Kirkham

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Microfibers shed from synthetic textiles during laundry: Flow to wastewater treatment plants or release to receiving waters through storm drains?

Cited by 8 publications

References 50 publications

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

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

The Influence of Textile Type, Textile Weight, and Detergent Dosage on Microfiber Emissions from Top-Loading Washing Machines

Microplastics: a review of their impacts on different life forms and their removal methods

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