The vast majority of microfibres entering our oceans via clothes washing may not be synthetic fibres as previously thought, but are likely to be organic materials such as cotton and wool, a study has found.
Nonetheless, clothes washing still releases vast quantities of microfibres, whose impact on the marine environment is not fully understood.
Researchers from Northumbria University working in partnership with Procter & Gamble, makers of products such as Ariel, Tide, Downy and Lenor, found that 13,000 tonnes of microfibres, equivalent to two bin lorries every day, are being released into European marine environments every year.
The research team said it is the first major forensic study into the environmental impact of microfibres from real soiled household laundry.
Source: Independent