Microplastic emissions in textile wet processing: Progress, challenges, and mitigation strategies

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Textile production is a major source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
• Wet processing in textile manufacturing releases substantial and diverse microplastics, posing ecological risks.
• Microplastics persist and spread in water, carrying toxins and harming biodiversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review textile-derived microplastics, focusing on wet processing and domestic washing.
• To analyze the environmental fate, ecological impacts, and human health implications of textile microplastics.
• To explore advanced mitigation strategies for reducing microplastic discharge from textile industries.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of identification methods and environmental fate of textile microplastics.
• Analysis of ecological and human health impacts.
• Examination of textile wet processing and domestic washing contributions.
• Evaluation of mitigation strategies including bioengineered materials, design, coatings, and water systems.

Main Results:

• Wet processing is a key contributor to industrial microplastic emissions, exceeding domestic laundry.
• Textile microplastics are mobile, persistent, and act as vectors for toxic contaminants.
• Various mitigation strategies, from material innovation to advanced filtration, show promise.

Conclusions:

• Understanding microplastic release mechanisms is crucial for effective pollution control.
• Integrated approaches combining material science, textile design, and water treatment are needed.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for sustainable textile manufacturing and reducing microplastic pollution.