Plastic has become an indispensable part of our lives. Like it or not, you'll encounter it practically everywhere. It's so common, versatile, and cheap that it's the best raw material for any production. The fast-fashion industry has also embraced its benefits, offering poor-quality synthetic clothing.
Plastic in fashion
You are certainly aware that the clothing industry is the second largest polluter on the planet . Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 60% of clothing currently manufactured is made from synthetics (polyester, acrylic, nylon, or polyamide), i.e. derivatives of petroleum .
IMPORTANT! Do not confuse synthetic materials with artificial materials produced from cellulose through chemical synthesis (e.g., viscose, modal, lyocell).
How is it possible that you'll find a polyester blouse more readily in the latest collections than one made of cotton? This is because such clothing is pure profit for manufacturers – it's cheap, easy to synthesize and dye, and usually produced for pennies in Third World countries. What does this mean for the environment? For example, mountains of garbage that large corporations prefer to dispose of, usually dumping it in more remote locations. One such place is Thilafushi – a floating landfill where garbage is brought and burned 24/7 . And all this – just 6 km from the capital of the fabulous Maldives .
Microplastics - what is it and what threats does it pose to us?
It's known that synthetic clothing releases microplastics—short fibers ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm in length— which we inhale and ingest. Data indicates that in Finland alone, microplastic emissions from textiles during laundry reached 150,000 kg/year . As you've probably already noticed, the problem is enormous. Unfortunately, the fast-fashion industry, which produces clothing primarily from polyester, isn't improving the situation. Although microplastics are released from most plastic items, for the purposes of this article, we'll focus only on microplastics emitted from textiles, which constitute a significant portion of total emissions .
Microfibers can be released from clothes during washing, drying, and even wearing . I remember my surprise after using a tumble dryer for the first time, when I saw lint I'd never seen before. You can only imagine how many of these microfibers leave our washing machine after each wash cycle, later ending up in a sewage treatment plant . Data suggests that this could be as many as 700,000 microfibers after a single 6-kg wash cycle . It's known that such small particles are virtually impossible to remove from treated water. Synthetic fibers are undoubtedly a threat to the environment, but have you considered their impact on you? To ingest synthetic fibers, all you need to do is drink water (no source is free of them), season your food with table salt, order sushi, or add honey to your tea .
Why is microplastic so dangerous?
Until now, our knowledge has focused on its impact on aquatic ecosystems. However, it's undeniable that this isn't the only problem. Conventional plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, and removing it from the environment, such as water bodies, is practically impossible . Data shows that microplastics are found everywhere, even on Mount Everest ! Over the course of a week, we consume approximately 5g of microplastics through our meals . It's like regularly eating with credit cards (they also weigh 5g).
Microplastics in clothes
Have you ever wondered what impact your health has on what you wear? Most people are probably already aware that it's better to choose natural or synthetic materials due to their better thermal properties. However, the truth is that our clothes have a much greater impact on us than we previously thought. Various sources indicate that microplastics easily accumulate toxic substances and heavy metals on their surfaces . Furthermore, contact with skin can have negative consequences . Microorganisms found on the surface of ingested microplastics can also cause bacterial infections . The inability to remove these particles from our bodies can lead to chronic inflammation, which can result in an increased risk of cancer . Furthermore, in vitro studies on cell lines have shown a toxic effect of microplastics on lung, liver, and brain cells . Unfortunately, the actual impact of microplastics and their effects on our bodies will only be known after many years.
What can we as consumers do?
Above all, choose high-quality Polish clothes made from natural or synthetic materials. Although these can also release fibers, they are mostly biodegradable and pose a lower risk to our health and the planet. Interestingly, the first washing machine filter has recently appeared on the market that can capture up to 90% of microfibers during each wash cycle. The company responsible for this product assures that such a filter installed in 10,000 households can protect against microplastic pollution equivalent to 20,000 plastic bags .
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https://label-magazine.com/lifestyle/artykuly/filtr-do-mikroplastiku-marki-electrolux-w-trosce-o-zdrowie-i-srodowisko
