MICROFIBERS, THE ENVIRONMENT & YOU
Microfibers are very small—less than five millimeters in size—but can cause environmental damage and potential health risks for humans. They may be tiny, but they are everywhere—from the highest mountains to the deepest ocean and inside us. Australian researchers estimated that the ocean floor has from 9.25 to 15.86 million tons of microfibers. In 2022, a study in the Netherlands found microfiber inside the lungs of surgical patients and in the samples of blood donated. There are indications that microfibers may worsen asthma, affect the immune system, disrupt endocrine systems, and possibly influence cancer in humans. More research needs to be done before microfibers can be linked to these conditions, but scientists are concerned. Where do these microfibers come from, how do they harm the environment and what can we do about them?
Microfibers are being shed from many garments and other products made from synthetics like nylon, polyester, rayon, and those popular fleece tops and jackets (which tend to shed the most microfibers). Furniture, carpets, mops, cleaning cloths, sheets, towels, etc. may all contain and shed microfibers. The amount of shedding is variable. (Remember we are also dealing with other plastics in bags, bottles, food containers, straws, canned food linings, etc.) In 2020 the estimated number of microfibers that were manufactured was 367 million metric tons. In 2025 the estimate will be 3 times as large.
Besides being a health hazard, there are other environmental concerns. When you see these products made with synthetic materials, remember that they are made from oil. Therefore, they pollute the environment from drilling and manufacturing with a huge number of emissions. Toxic chemicals are also added in the manufacturing process to make plastics strong and flexible. These toxic chemicals ride along with the microfibers wherever they go, many killing marine life and/or going up the food chain to us. These fibers do not biodegrade, thus the number in the air, water, soil, and in us continues to build up.
What can we do about them? As usual, the first response is REDUCE. That is, look at labels and buy clothes and products as free from synthetic materials as possible. If you have clothes made with synthetic materials (who does not?), resolve to wash them correctly in cold water a lowest spin cycle and line dry. Hopefully you have either a filter on your washing machine or use a “Guppy-Friend Bag” that catches these microfibers. Dispose of fibers in a lidded trash bin. When due for a new washing machine, consider a front loader. These machines seem to produce less shedding of microfibers. Ask legislators to require microfiber filters on washing machines. France has a law to do so by 2025 and California is studying the prospect. We must do all we can to encourage people to be responsible in caring for products already in their home and to reduce consumption for the sake of the environment and their health.
Earth Steward Action: Take steps to filter out microfibers from your washing routine and refuse new products that will shed more microfibers into the environment.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/reduce-laundry-microfiber-pollution/
