Microplastics: Tiny Pollutants Ranging from Textiles to the Sea

Microplastics are common in the environment, leading to dangerous consequences for the organisms they make contact with (Martin Wagner et al./Wikimedia Commons)

Overview of Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are less than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter. According to a scientific report conducted by Dr. Dong Liu, a researcher from the University of Science and Technology-China, synthetic textiles “release biotoxic plastic additives into the atmosphere and lead to secondary pollutants". This can result in animals and other organisms inhaling this harmful substance leading to many respiratory issues.

The Issue of Microplastics

Microplastic degradation is extremely difficult, potentially increasing the environmental harm it could cause. According to a peer-reviewed report by Jatinder Singh Randhawa, “Microplastics have a long shelf life and are challenging to degrade...". They also possess incredible variability regarding their toxicity, with their size and structure affecting various organisms to different extents. Studies reveal that microplastics have a ubiquitous presence in different environmental settings such as water, sediment, terrestrial soil, and biota. Microplastics have been detected on beaches and in subtidal sediments worldwide. They present a global threat to marine biota as plankton or other marine organisms can ingest microplastics, eventually entering the human food web. Studies have also shown that a human can ingest between 39,000 and 520,000 microplastics per year through food and beverages.

Effects of Synthetic Textiles on Organisms and the Environment

The release of microplastic-sized fibers by washing textiles has been widely reported as a known microplastic dispersal method. Microplastics can absorb and transport toxic chemicals. When ingested by organisms, these chemicals may leach, causing toxicity and potential disruptions to endocrine systems. Microplastic ingestion has been related to developmental disorders, changes in behavior, lower food intake, and other physiological problems. Data show that nearly 700 aquatic organisms worldwide are threatened by microplastic ingestion. Microplastics have a long shelf life and are resistant to degradation. Once released into the environment, they persist for extended periods, contributing to continuous pollution. Microplastics take a long time to degrade because these types of polymers do not exist in nature, resulting in a lack of organisms/enzymes that can break them down. Microfibers can also travel through the air and deposit on land or water surfaces where humans and animals can inhale them. This can cause respiratory problems, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the lungs. Altering the soil structure and porosity can affect water infiltration, drainage, and aeration interfering with the soil microbial community and activity, which can affect decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil health. The synthetic fiber industry exemplifies potential workplace exposure to microplastics through inhalation. Microplastic inhalation can lead to respiratory and lung diseases among workers in factories using synthetic fibers. It has been proven that microplastics are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. Microplastics are potentially transferred to air and are easily transported by wind, because of their small size and low density.

Current Mitigation Efforts

People are advised to do laundry less often and wash full loads instead of partial loads. By doing so, garments are exposed to less friction during the wash cycle, and the release of microfibers is reduced. Adding a filter for washing machines can reduce the levels of microplastics before they enter the drain — preventing microplastics from entering sewage systems and then aquatic ecosystems. As a consumer, deciding to wear more natural and sustainable clothing with plastic-free fabrics serves as an effective alternative to its synthetic counterparts. Running short cycles instead of long ones will effectively limit the opportunity for fiber breakdown due to the reduction in time. Reducing the speed of the cycle can decrease friction even further since it is shown by studies to reduce microfiber shedding by 30 percent. Instead of powder, utilizing liquid detergents is gentler and less abrasive, reducing the amount of microfibers that are released into the wastewater. Solid detergents contain more microbeads than liquid detergents and these microbeads could wash down the drain and contribute to microplastic aquatic pollution, harming the many marine organisms living in these environments. According to Dr. Periyasamy, a scientist with a concentration in Textile Materials, this would mean that there would be fewer piling properties and the fabric would result in a cleaner and more treated fabric. In essence, tackling public microplastic issues trickles down to acts of personal mindfulness and care.