Microfiber Filters for Laundry: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness and Future Research Directions for Pollution Mitigation

Textile materials are a major source of microfibers (MFs), one of the emerging environmental contaminants. Although numerous studies have reported the presence of microfibers in various environments, there is a scarcity of research focused on viable mitigation strategies. Laundry, one of the dominant sources of microfiber release, remains a challenge for the scientific community in developing methods to effectively remove MFs from laundry effluents before they enter the environment. Despite the availability of a few commercial filters aimed at addressing this issue, a comprehensive solution has yet to be identified. In this regard, this review aims to systematically analyze existing filtration systems (both commercial and laboratory scales) in terms of their performance attributes to mitigate this issue. The findings revealed that both commercially available and lab-scale filters have drawbacks, such as filtration efficiency, durability, disposal, and sustainability, which need to be addressed carefully while seeking a wholesome solution. A detailed exploration of existing systems revealed the need to emphasize different attributes and their importance, which acts as a guideline for future innovation. Furthermore, alternative filtration methods are often non-versatile and have restricted applicability to different operational mechanisms and pollutant types. This review offers a critical analysis of current technologies, and provides future directions for researchers in this field by highlighting the research gaps.