Water Consumption and Microfibers: The Biggest Threat

The textile industry is one of the top industries that use enormous amounts of water. Water is used extensively throughout textile wet processing operations contributing to the release of industrial wastewater. It is becoming critically essential for textile operations to secure a cost-effective and reliable water supply. To lessen the water footprint, the use of supercritical fluids and an ultrasound-assisted method has also been explored in the textile manufacturing process. The potential of plasma technology, laser finishing, UV radiation treatment, gamma (Y) ray irradiation, and ozone application to enhance functional and aesthetic finishing, such as dyeing and hydrophilic and hydrophobic finishing, has been the focus of numerous research efforts recently. Microfiber pollution is also another big threat to biodiversity from the textile sector. Washing clothes annually releases 50 billion pounds of plastic into the ocean or around 500,000 tonnes of microfibers. Due to fast fashion and the rise in population, textile production and consumption of cheap fabrics made of synthetic fibers have increased. It has been estimated that up to 35% of the primary source microplastics in the marine environment come from synthetic clothing. Natural fibers also contribute to microfiber pollution, but it is biodegradable and has minimal environmental impact. However, traces of chemicals and dyes may present in natural and semi-synthetic microfibers which are equally problematic contaminants. In recent studies, microfibers have been reported in freshwater and marine environments and even in several products for human consumption including tap water, beer common salt, and seafood. Hence, microfiber pollution becomes a serious threat to the environment and it needs to be addressed. Research on the scope of impacts, ecological implications, and potential health effects of microfibers on humans is required. The chapter also provides insight into microfiber pollution, threats, and management strategies.