Fiber to fragment: a review of microplastics from textile industry effluents, their detection, ecological impact, and sustainable microbial biodegradation strategies.
Bhattacharya A, Yadav S, Kundu N, Khinvasara P, Aseri GK
Microplastic Pollution
PubMedMicroplastic fibers from laundry are landing in your garden soil and the food you grow, quietly accumulating in plant roots and the organisms that keep your soil fertile.
Every time synthetic clothes are washed, tiny plastic fibers shed and flow into waterways, eventually settling into soils and oceans. These particles build up through the food chain — from soil microbes to vegetables to people. Scientists are now looking at using naturally occurring bacteria and fungi to break these plastics down before they spread further.
Key Findings
The textile industry is responsible for 49–70% of microplastic pollution in global wastewater, primarily from polyester, nylon, and acrylic fibers.
Microplastics from textiles bioaccumulate through food chains, posing risks to marine ecosystems, terrestrial environments, and human health.
Microbial biodegradation using bacteria and fungi — alone or in consortia — is identified as a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive physicochemical removal methods.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Synthetic clothing fibers from the textile industry account for up to 70% of microplastics entering global wastewater, and this review finds that bacteria and fungi offer a promising, low-waste solution for breaking them down before they reach soils and oceans.
Abstract Preview
Microplastic pollution poses a significant environmental threat. The textile industry contributes 49-70% of microplastics to global wastewater through synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and ac...
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