| Abstract [eng] |
Synthetic microfibers – microplastics that originated from textile, and the pollution caused by it, are one of the most pressing and recent environmental problems. One of the main sources of synthetic microfibers is domestic washing of synthetic clothing. Researchers confirm that washing parameters such as water pH, washing temperature, washing time and mechanical impact, influences the release of the synthetic microfibers, but no standard methodology yet exists that can be followed when performing these types of tests. There is also a lack of research on what washing parameters consumers apply during domestic washing. The project carried out a survey that helped to determine the most common washing parameters and consumer washing habits when washing synthetic clothing at home. Based on the results of the consumer survey, a review of other scientific studies and the maintenance rules recommended by textile fabric and clothing manufacturers, and following more environmentally sustainable solutions, a simple methodology for testing and evaluating the release of microfibers from synthetic fabrics has been developed and implemented. Five knitted fabrics made from synthetic fibers, which are often used for sportswear’s production, were selected for this research. The quantities and characteristics of synthetic microfibers, released from synthetic knitted fabrics during washing, were investigated and evaluated. The results of the study showed that consumers wash their clothes often, rarely read product care labels and wash their synthetic clothes with clothing made of other fibers. Synthetic clothes are usually washed using a liquid detergent and without the fabric softener. Most often synthetic clothes are washed for 30 min or 60 min at 40 oC temperature water. After synthetic microfiber analysis, it was found that microfiber quantities and characteristics are highly dependent on the composition of the fabric and the structure of the fibers. The fabric containing polyamide produced the lowest amounts of microfibers, while the fabric made of 90% polyester/10% elastane produced the highest amounts. The longer microfibers were found after the fifth wash compared to the first wash. |
