Modelling microplastic fibre emissions from synthetic textiles: An Australian case

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Microplastic fibre (MPF) pollution from synthetic textiles poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Limited understanding of MPF emission scales, sources, and environmental distribution hinders effective mitigation and risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive model quantifying MPF emissions from synthetic textiles across their life cycle.
• To assess MPF emissions in Australia as a case study and project future trends.
• To provide a decision-support tool for global MPF pollution mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dynamic model integrating product-level activity data and emission factors for MPF quantification.
• Applied the model to Australian synthetic textile data from 1988-2023.
• Projected future MPF emissions under different intervention scenarios.

Main Results:

• Estimated cumulative MPF release in Australia at 30.9 ± 0.56 kilotonnes (kt) between 1988 and 2023.
• Identified household drying and wearing as major sources of airborne MPFs (nearly 50%).
• Projected a 43% increase in MPF emissions by 2050 without intervention, reducible by up to 65% with integrated strategies.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a robust tool for assessing and mitigating MPF pollution from synthetic textiles globally.
• Integrated strategies can significantly reduce future MPF emissions.
• The detailed emission inventory supports crucial exposure and risk assessments.