Textiles as microplastic source - A holistic approach to determine fibre release by textile laundry, biodegradation and ecotoxicity (DIN SPEC 4872)

Juliane Alberts; Eva Glink; Edith Classen

doi:10.25367/cdatp.2024.5.p255-265

Authors

Juliane Alberts Life Science and Care, Hohenstein, Bönnigheim, Germany https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1101-8650
Eva Glink Life Science & Care, Hohenstein, Bönnigheim, Germany https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0811-2079
Edith Classen Life Science & Care, Hohenstein, Bönnigheim, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1564-0337

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25367/cdatp.2024.5.p255-265

Keywords:

Microplastic, microfibre, fibre release, Dynamic Image Analysis, textile laundry, waste water, biodegradation, ecotoxicity, environmental impact

Abstract

When textiles are washed, natural and synthetic fibres are released that cannot completely be retained by waste water treatment plants. These microfibres can enter freshwater ecosystems and marine habitats and have unpredictable negative effects on the environment. Until now, there has been no standardised approach for determining the environmental impact of microfibres released during washing. Against this background, a new test procedure to investigate and classify the environmental impact of textiles during laundering was developed (DIN SPEC 4872). In this test procedure, textiles are classified with regard to fibre release during the washing process using a suitable analysis system – the Dynamic Image Analysis. In addition, the microfibre release is classified by testing its biodegradability in waste water using a respirometer system. Finally, a suitable ecotoxicity test with a model aquatic organism (Lemna minor) is carried out, to determine the toxicity of the fibre residues after the biodegradation process. With this holistic test procedure, it is possible to investigate the environmental impact of synthetic microfibres (microplastics), as well as natural microfibres in a standardised way. The consideration of textiles made of natural fibres is just as important as the consideration of synthetic ones, because their fibre release capacity, biodegradability and ecotoxicity can be influenced by textile finishes such as dyes and can therefore also pose a risk to the environment.

References

Thompson, R. C.; Moore, C. J.; vom Saal, F. S.; Swan, S. H., Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2009, 364 (1526), 2153-66. [DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0053].

Belzagui, F.; Crespi, M.; Álvarez, A.; Gutiérrez-Bouzán, C.; Vilaseca, M., Microplastics' emissions: Microfibers’ detachment from textile garments. Environmental Pollution 2019, 248, 1028-1035. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.059].

Hernandez, E.; Nowack, B.; Mitrano, D. M., Polyester Textiles as a Source of Microplastics from Households: A Mechanistic Study to Understand Microfiber Release During Washing. Environmental Science & Technology 2017, 51 (12), 7036-7046. [DOI:10.1021/acs.est.7b01750].

Rathinamoorthy, R.; Subramanian, R. B., An Introduction to Microfiber Pollution. 2024; pp 1-40. [DOI: 10.1201/9781003331995-2].

Zambrano, M. C.; Pawlak, J. J.; Venditti, R. A., Effects of chemical and morphological structure on biodegradability of fibers, fabrics, and other polymeric materials. Bioresources 2020, 15, 9786-9833. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.15.4.Zambrano].

Zambrano, M. C.; Pawlak, J. J.; Daystar, J.; Ankeny, M.; Goller, C. C.; Venditti, R. A., Aerobic biodegradation in freshwater and marine environments of textile microfibers generated in clothes laundering: Effects of cellulose and polyester-based microfibers on the microbiome. Marine pollution bulletin 2020, 151, 110826. [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110826].

GESAMP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection. Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Global Assessment, 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3803.7925. [Last accessed on 13 Nov 2024].

Miller, R. Z.; Watts, A. J. R.; Winslow, B. O.; Galloway, T. S.; Barrows, A. P. W., Mountains to the sea: River study of plastic and non-plastic microfiber pollution in the northeast USA. Marine pollution bulletin 2017, 124 (1), 245-251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.07.028].

Wagner, M.; Scherer, C.; Alvarez-Muñoz, D.; Brennholt, N.; Bourrain, X.; Buchinger, S.; Fries, E.; Grosbois, C.; Klasmeier, J.; Marti, T.; Rodriguez-Mozaz, S.; Urbatzka, R.; Vethaak, A. D.; Winther-Nielsen, M.; Reifferscheid, G., Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Environ Sci Eur 2014, 26 (1), 12. [DOI: 10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7].

Lares, M.; Ncibi, M. C.; Sillanpää, M.; Sillanpää, M., Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastic particles and fibers in conventional activated sludge process and advanced MBR technology. Water Res 2018, 133, 236-246. [DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.049].

Kapp, K., Miller, R., Microfiber Contribution from Drying Clothes Is Critical in Estimating Total Microfiber Emissions from Textiles. 2024; pp 127-136. [DOI: 10.1201/9781003331995-7].

Zambrano, M. C.; Pawlak, J. J.; Daystar, J.; Ankeny, M.; Venditti, R. A., Impact of dyes and finishes on the aquatic biodegradability of cotton textile fibers and microfibers released on laundering clothes: Correlations between enzyme adsorption and activity and biodegradation rates. Marine pollution bulletin 2021, 165, 112030. [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112030].

Sustainable Investment Institute. Microfibres: the invisible pollution from textiles, 2022. Available from:https://www.firstsentier-mufg-sustainability.com/content/dam/sustainabilityinstitute/assets/research/FSI-Sustainability-Investment-Institute-Report-January2022-final.pdf. [Last accessed on 16.08.2023].

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future, 2017. Available from: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/publications/A-New-Textiles-Economy_Full-Report_Updated_1-12-17.pdf%0Ahttps://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/a-new-textiles-economy-redesigning-fashions-future. [Last accessed on 13 Nov 2024].

Ring W, H. C., Ruchhöft S, Gämperle R, Himmelsbach M, et al., Fachwissen Professionelle Textilpflege. Europa Lehrmittel: 2018.

Ladewig, S. M.; Bao, S.; Chow, A. T., Natural Fibers: A Missing Link to Chemical Pollution Dispersion in Aquatic Environments. Environ Sci Technol 2015, 49 (21), 12609-10. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04754].

Boucher J, F. D., Primary Microplastics in the Oceans: A Global Evaluation of Sources. IUCN: 2017. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2017.01.en].

Salvador Cesa, F.; Turra, A.; Baruque-Ramos, J., Synthetic fibers as microplastics in the marine environment: A review from textile perspective with a focus on domestic washings. Sci Total Environ 2017, 598, 1116-1129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.172].

Suaria, G.; Achtypi, A.; Perold, V.; Lee, J. R.; Pierucci, A.; Bornman, T. G.; Aliani, S.; Ryan, P. G., Microfibers in oceanic surface waters: A global characterization. Science Advances 2020, 6 (23), eaay8493. [DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay8493].

European Bioplastics eV (EUBP). Comments on biodegradable plastics (besides compostable). Available from:https://www.european-bioplastics.org/policy/eu-policy-framework-on-bioplastics/comments-on-biodegradable-plastics/. [Last accessed on 11 Nov 2024].

Zambrano, M. C.; Pawlak, J. J.; Daystar, J.; Ankeny, M.; Venditti, R. A., Impact of dyes and finishes on the microfibers released on the laundering of cotton knitted fabrics. Environ Pollut 2021, 272, 115998. [DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115998].

Periyasamy, A. P., Microfiber Emissions from Functionalized Textiles: Potential Threat for Human Health and Environmental Risks. Toxics 2023, 11 (5), 406. [DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050406].

Zambrano, M. C.; Pawlak, J. J.; Daystar, J.; Ankeny, M.; Cheng, J. J.; Venditti, R. A., Microfibers generated from the laundering of cotton, rayon and polyester based fabrics and their aquatic biodegradation. Marine pollution bulletin 2019, 142, 394-407. [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.02.062].

De Falco, F.; Cocca, M.; Avella, M.; Thompson, R. C., Microfiber Release to Water, Via Laundering, and to Air, via Everyday Use: A Comparison between Polyester Clothing with Differing Textile Parameters. Environ Sci Technol 2020, 54 (6), 3288-3296. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06892].

Hazlehurst, A., Taylor, M., Quantifying Microfibre Release from Textiles during Domestic Laundering Challenges and Progress. Microfibre Pollution from Textiles 2024; pp. 161-182. . [DOI: 10.1201/9781003331995-10].

Mashhadi Abolghasem, F., Kim, J. Factors Influencing Microfiber Emission from Textiles and Methods for Quantifying Microfiber Release during Laundry Processes. Microfibre Pollution from Textiles 2024; pp. 59-79.. [DOI: 10.1201/9781003331995-4].

V., D. D. I. f. N. e., Test Method for Textiles –Determination of fibre release during washing and aerobic degradation level in aqueous medium in consideration of ecotoxicity. Beuth Verlag: 2023.

V., D. D. I. f. N. e., Textilien und textile Erzeugnisse - Mikroplastik aus textilen Quellen - Teil 1: Bestimmung des Materialverlusts von textilen Flächengebilden beim Waschen. Beuth Verlag: 2023.

Haap, J.; Classen, E.; Beringer, J.; Mecheels, S.; Gutmann, J. S., Microplastic Fibers Released by Textile Laundry: A New Analytical Approach for the Determination of Fibers in Effluents. Water 2019, 11 (10), 2088. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11102088].

Jung, J. Etablierung und Anwendung der dynamischen Bildanalyse zur Bestimmung von Fasern in Abwässern aus Textilwaschprozessen. Dissertation, Duisburg, Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, 2020, 2020.

V., D. D. I. f. N. e., Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium - Method by measurement of oxygen demand in a closed respirometer. Beuth Verlag: 2019.

V, D. D. I. f. N. e., Water quality— Determination of the toxic effect of water constituents and waste water on duckweed (Lemna minor). Beuth Verlag: 2006.

Classen, E., Jung, J., Dynamic Image Analysis for Determination of Textioe Fibers. Microfiber Pollution from Textiles 2024; pp. 229-242. [DOI: 10.1201/9781003331995-12]

Jönsson, C.; Levenstam Arturin, O.; Hanning, A.-C.; Landin, R.; Holmström, E.; Roos, S., Microplastics Shedding from Textiles—Developing Analytical Method for Measurement of Shed Material Representing Release during Domestic Washing. Sustainability 2018, 10 (7), 2457. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072457].

Napper, I. E.; Thompson, R. C., Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines: Effects of fabric type and washing conditions. Marine pollution bulletin 2016, 112 (1-2), 39-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.025].

Covernton, G. A.; Pearce, C. M.; Gurney-Smith, H. J.; Chastain, S. G.; Ross, P. S.; Dower, J. F.; Dudas, S. E., Size and shape matter: A preliminary analysis of microplastic sampling technique in seawater studies with implications for ecological risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 2019, 667, 124-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.346].

Yu, W.; Hancock, B. C., Evaluation of dynamic image analysis for characterizing pharmaceutical excipient particles. Int J Pharm 2008, 361 (1-2), 150-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.05.025].

V., D. D. I. f. N. e., Verpackungen – Anforderungen an die Verwertung von Verpackungen durch Kompostierung und biologischen Abbau – Prüfschema und Bewertungskriterien für die Einstufung von Verpackungen. Beuth Verlag: 2012.