<
https://theconversation.com/laundry-is-a-top-source-of-microplastic-pollution-heres-how-to-clean-your-clothes-more-sustainably-217072>
"Microplastics are turning up everywhere, from remote mountain tops to deep
ocean trenches. They also are in many animals, including humans.
The most common microplastics in the environment are microfibers – plastic
fragments shaped like tiny threads or filaments. Microfibers come from many
sources, including cigarette butts, fishing nets and ropes, but the biggest
source is synthetic fabrics, which constantly shed them.
Textiles shed microfibers while they are manufactured, worn and disposed of,
but especially when they are washed. A single wash load can release several
million microfibers. Many factors affect how many fibers are released,
including fabric type, mechanical action, detergents, temperature and the
duration of the wash cycle.
My research focuses on coastal ecology and water pollution, including work in
New York and New Jersey marshes and estuaries that are heavily affected by
human activities. Here are some things to know about reducing microplastic
pollution from your washing machine."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
