Domestic Laundry and Microfiber Shedding of Synthetic Textiles
129
the samples. From their results, they have estimated that approximately four billion
microfibers were present per square kilometer of the Indian Ocean, fifteen billion in
the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea [8]. Though we are using synthetic textile for a
longer time, the problem becomes serious in recent times due to the prevailing Fast
Fashion trend. Fast fashion is an activity which mimics and provides high fashion
garments at cheaper and affordable rate to all range of customers. Fast fashion trends
also offer speedy fashion trend changes so that the customers can purchase new
and trendy clothing more often. Hence, in order to reduce the cost and frequently
deliver the product in the market, the manufacturers use synthetic textiles. Due to
this, synthetic fiber consumption in the fashion industry has tremendously increased
in the past decade.
A recent report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation supported the increased
use of synthetic textiles in recent times. The research report mentioned that in the
past fifteen years the clothing utilization significantly reduced approximately by
36% in lower income and 70% in the higher income countries due to the fast fashion
trend. On microfiber estimation, they mentioned that in between 2015 and 2050,
22 million tons of microfibers will be added into the ocean due to the higher use of
synthetic textile [9]. According to IHS Markit’s Polyester fiber’s 2018 market, the
annual growth rate of polyester fiber since the year 2000 is 6%. The large industrial
application, as a substitution of other material and low-cost nature, are the main
factors for its wider growth. The polyester production has doubled from 24.7–53.7
million metric tons in 12 years from 2005 to 2017. Due to the cheap and versatile
nature, polyester officially overtook cotton in 2002 and became the number one fiber
(higher consumption) in the world [10]. The higher consumption of synthetic textiles
increases the higher exposure of synthetic material to the environment. The exposed
microplastic undergoes various changes like physical, enzymatic, and microbial
degradation and is broken down into a very small size and cannot be degraded
further. It is very hard to remove such contamination from soil or water bodies as
that will result in the removal of all plankton-size organisms. Microfibers are also
noted as airborne pollutants from several clothing manufacturing hubs. Other than
environmental impact, microfiber pollution also leads to health hazards to humans in
different aspects. Recent research was performed on the drinking water samples from
bottled waters of different brands from 19 locations in 9 countries. The results of the
study showed an average of 325 plastic particles in every liter of water sold in the
bottle. Out of 259 bottles tested, only 17 bottles were noted free from microplastics.
Similarly, a survey examined tap water from 5 different continents and reported
that 83% of the samples were noted with microplastic pollution. Out of the waters
examined, with 82.4% of microplastic contaminations, water from India obtained
a rank of 3 for highly polluted water [11, 12]. To threaten human life, a few food
items are also found with microfibers and plastics as reported by other researchers
including seafood, honey, table salt, beer, and also in fresh vegetables [12–15].
Recent research shocked with the information that the rainwater samples collected
and analyzed in the national parks and wilderness areas across Colorado, which is a
protected region, had microfiber particles in it. The researchers were also surprised to
see plastic fragments <5 mm which are mostly of microfibers. Through 32 different
129
the samples. From their results, they have estimated that approximately four billion
microfibers were present per square kilometer of the Indian Ocean, fifteen billion in
the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea [8]. Though we are using synthetic textile for a
longer time, the problem becomes serious in recent times due to the prevailing Fast
Fashion trend. Fast fashion is an activity which mimics and provides high fashion
garments at cheaper and affordable rate to all range of customers. Fast fashion trends
also offer speedy fashion trend changes so that the customers can purchase new
and trendy clothing more often. Hence, in order to reduce the cost and frequently
deliver the product in the market, the manufacturers use synthetic textiles. Due to
this, synthetic fiber consumption in the fashion industry has tremendously increased
in the past decade.
A recent report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation supported the increased
use of synthetic textiles in recent times. The research report mentioned that in the
past fifteen years the clothing utilization significantly reduced approximately by
36% in lower income and 70% in the higher income countries due to the fast fashion
trend. On microfiber estimation, they mentioned that in between 2015 and 2050,
22 million tons of microfibers will be added into the ocean due to the higher use of
synthetic textile [9]. According to IHS Markit’s Polyester fiber’s 2018 market, the
annual growth rate of polyester fiber since the year 2000 is 6%. The large industrial
application, as a substitution of other material and low-cost nature, are the main
factors for its wider growth. The polyester production has doubled from 24.7–53.7
million metric tons in 12 years from 2005 to 2017. Due to the cheap and versatile
nature, polyester officially overtook cotton in 2002 and became the number one fiber
(higher consumption) in the world [10]. The higher consumption of synthetic textiles
increases the higher exposure of synthetic material to the environment. The exposed
microplastic undergoes various changes like physical, enzymatic, and microbial
degradation and is broken down into a very small size and cannot be degraded
further. It is very hard to remove such contamination from soil or water bodies as
that will result in the removal of all plankton-size organisms. Microfibers are also
noted as airborne pollutants from several clothing manufacturing hubs. Other than
environmental impact, microfiber pollution also leads to health hazards to humans in
different aspects. Recent research was performed on the drinking water samples from
bottled waters of different brands from 19 locations in 9 countries. The results of the
study showed an average of 325 plastic particles in every liter of water sold in the
bottle. Out of 259 bottles tested, only 17 bottles were noted free from microplastics.
Similarly, a survey examined tap water from 5 different continents and reported
that 83% of the samples were noted with microplastic pollution. Out of the waters
examined, with 82.4% of microplastic contaminations, water from India obtained
a rank of 3 for highly polluted water [11, 12]. To threaten human life, a few food
items are also found with microfibers and plastics as reported by other researchers
including seafood, honey, table salt, beer, and also in fresh vegetables [12–15].
Recent research shocked with the information that the rainwater samples collected
and analyzed in the national parks and wilderness areas across Colorado, which is a
protected region, had microfiber particles in it. The researchers were also surprised to
see plastic fragments <5 mm which are mostly of microfibers. Through 32 different