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One garment load of washing machine releases 700,000 fibres
29 Sep '16
1 min read
A research study at Plymouth University has found that around 700,000 microscopic fibres are released into the waste water while washing a load of synthetic fibre and blended fibre garments in a domestic washing machine. This water waste loaded with these fibres is likely to pass through sewage treatment, and be a cause for environmental degradation.
The study examined the mass, abundance and size of fibres present in waste effluent and found hundreds of thousands of tiny synthetic particles after each wash, confirming earlier work that garment washing is a major source of microscopic fibres within the aquatic environment.
For the study, polyester, acrylic and polyester cotton items were washed at 30°C and 40°C using various combinations of detergent and fabric conditioner.
Fibres were then extracted from the waste effluent and examined using an electron microscope to determine the typical size and any differences in mass and abundance among treatments. (AR)
The study examined the mass, abundance and size of fibres present in waste effluent and found hundreds of thousands of tiny synthetic particles after each wash, confirming earlier work that garment washing is a major source of microscopic fibres within the aquatic environment.
For the study, polyester, acrylic and polyester cotton items were washed at 30°C and 40°C using various combinations of detergent and fabric conditioner.
Fibres were then extracted from the waste effluent and examined using an electron microscope to determine the typical size and any differences in mass and abundance among treatments. (AR)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India
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