Microfibre pollution is far more prevalent at the point of textile manufacturing than previously thought. New research highlights the scale of industrial shedding and the urgent need for monitoring and mitigation at source.
Key takeaways
- Microfibre concentrations in textile effluent can exceed 1,000 times that found in municipal wastewater. The problem is paramount regarding wet processing, which exacerbates microfibre shedding both through intensive and abrasive processing and subsequent washing.
- Advanced processes like membrane bioreactors can remove up to 99.9% of fibres, yet many mills – especially in developing regions where most production occurs – lack this infrastructure.
- Prevention starts at design. Tighter weaves, higher yarn twist and waterless dyeing methods can reduce shedding, but industry-wide monitoring standards are essential to guide interventions.
Measured as the most abundant microparticle in the environment, microfibre pollution is found in aquatic and terrestrial environments across the globe. With the widespread nature of this pollutant, questions have been raised on the origin of these fibres.
The release of microfibres (often referred to as shedding) is largely associated with the use of textiles. Household washing of textiles is a well understood source of microfibre pollution releasing an estimated 87,000 tonnes of microfibres annually in the UK [1].
Alternative sources of microfibres such as through textile manufacturing, have been overlooked as key releases of microfibres due to a large portion of industrial wastewaters being treated in house and discharged directly into the environment leading to a lack of accurate monitoring [2].
With microfibre concentrations measured in textile industrial effluent over 1000 times greater in comparison to that of municipal wastewater treatment works, is it time that we started considering this pollutant from point of manufacturing?
Reported release of microfibres from industry
Microfibres are released throughout the textile manufacturing process, particularly through wet processing including pre-treatments (sizing, desizing, scouring, mercerisation and bleaching) and dyeing and finishing steps.
Textile manufacturing processes often apply abrasive methods to give a better handle to
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