Textile microfibers: emissions, quantification and analytical characterization. A household laundry perspective

Abstract

Textile microfibers are among the most significant emerging pollutants. The textile industry and household (laundry) wastewaters are the primary sources of these microfibers, responsible for up to 90% of fragmented fibers entering the aquatic environment. This review updates current knowledge of the last 20 years on microfiber release associated with laundry and textile processes, with a special emphasis on household laundry, and explores potential removal strategies. Scenarios for reducing synthetic microfiber release through interventions at multiple levels and involving different stakeholders including industry, consumers, and governments are discussed.

Herein, the key steps for microfiber characterization in effluents and laundry processes are also discussed in detail, underlying the need for monitoring, regulation, and effective measures to minimize the uncontrolled release of microfibers into the environment, thus reducing the prevalence of these environmental contaminants and their suspected impact.