Synthetic Fabrics Are The Main Source Of Microplastic Particle Contamination

Natural fibers, such as cotton, to avoid negative impacts on the environment and brand image, especially as consumers become more aware of the problem. According to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Survey, 27% of US consumers are aware of this, up 60% from last year's 17%. Of those who know about it, 60% said they would avoid buying synthetic fabrics.

The World Water Day, which just passed last month, was established in 1993 by the United Nations to focus on the importance of freshwater. This year's theme is “Nothing to Leave”, which is one of the directions of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Everyone must benefit as progress in sustainable development progresses. The Joint Expert Group on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection made recommendations to the United Nations on the scientific issues of marine environmental protection. The problem of microplastic particles is an area of GESAMP research. In a study in 2018, the organization expressed concerns about the infiltration of microplastic particles into marine food supplies, and as some commentators have pointed out, these contaminated foods are being consumed by humans. It also determined that synthetic fabrics were the main source of microplastic particle contamination.

According to data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine, synthetic materials include polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which account for about 60% of global fiber production. Like hard plastics, synthetic materials come from coal and oil. Also like hard plastics, these synthetic fibers are insoluble in water.

Cotton Incorporated worked with North Carolina State University to study microfiber degradation in the aquatic environment. The results showed that after one month, the degradation rate of cotton was 82%, while the polyester fiber did not degrade at all.

According to lifestyle survey data, more than 80% of consumers (85%) said they are worried about water quality. In addition, nearly two-thirds of consumers (63%) said they are more interested and loyal to brands that offer natural fiber textures, followed by brands that produce garments in a sustainable manner (45%).

A study of lifestyle surveys shows that despite concerns, only about one-third of consumers (32%) are looking for ways to find clothes that are produced sustainably. However, 30% of online shoppers said that knowing the environmental footprint of a product would affect their decision to buy clothes. The percentage of consumers with this idea is significantly higher (38%) in the millennial generation.

The problem of microplastic particle contamination is becoming increasingly prominent among environmentalists and apparel manufacturers. Research conducted by ORB Media, a Washington, DC-based, and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, found that more than 80% of the samples collected on five continents detected the presence of microplastic fibers. In addition, Patagonia collaborated with the University of California's School of Environmental Science and Management in Santa Barbara to write a report titled “Microplastic Particle Pollution and the Apparel Industry”. The report confirms that microplastic pellets are released by daily wearing and washing of synthetic fiber texture garments.

A study conducted by the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom in 2016 reported that a large-scale cleaning of clothing may produce 700,000 synthetic fiber microparticles. Recently, NCBI found that only one synthetic fiber jersey can release 110,000 micro-plastic granules when washing clothes.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) says it is important to discuss microplastic particles.

Nate Herman, senior vice president of the association's supply chain, said: "The industry and the wider scientific community are actively researching." In fact, there are already some orders for device designers who are designing to capture microfibers during the washing process. The development of people's encouragement. But the study is far from complete. ”

Herman said that the AAFA played an active role in the state-level debate, including attending a working group in Connecticut to discuss solutions for microplastic particle contamination and how to draw consumer attention.

Last year, the California and New York State Legislatures introduced a bill requiring all clothing containing more than 50% synthetic fiber to be labeled, clearly warning consumers about the shedding of microplastic particles. But Herman said that such legislation has shifted people's attention away from solving problems.

There is no doubt that environmentally friendly clothing will have an impact on the brand's profits. According to a study by lifestyle surveys, more than one-third of consumers (36%) said they “very or likely” to purchase clothing that is produced in a sustainable or environmentally friendly manner. In addition, compared with man-made fibers, 84% of consumers believe that cotton is the most sustainable.

In a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the researchers said that addressing multiple sources of contamination of microplastic particles requires a holistic approach to solving their source problems.

“The action of turning off micro-plastic particle faucets can take the form of new engineering materials and smart designs, such as reducing the production of fabrics that fall off fibers or launching washing machines equipped with filters,” the IUCN said. These efforts must be supported by relevant legislative departments and actual policy to promote real change. On the other hand, as individual consumers who consume microplastic granules, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and adjust our behavior to protect our blue planet. ”