The Invisible Threat: Microplastics From Your Clothes
Synthetic Clothes Are Polluting the Earth
Microplastics from textiles are called microfibres because of their shape. You might have never checked the label of your clothing. If you do, you will find words like “polyester,” “nylon,” “polyamide,” “acrylic.” These are examples of plastic materials very commonly used in clothing.
When these textiles are manufactured, washed with your laundry, worn, or dried, they release these tiny plastic fibres in the water and the air. These microfibres have been found in almost everything we eat and drink: fish, seafood, chicken, tap water, bottled water, salt, beer. They have deeply entered our food chain, of which we are at the top, so the risk for us is even higher.
No location on Earth is safe from these fibres either; since they end up in the air, they can travel for kilometres before settling down, scientists have proven. From the top of the world to the ocean’s deepest point, neither Mount Everest nor the Mariana Trench is free of microplastic pollution. Research has shown that big cities like London, Paris, and Dongguan are also collecting microfibres from textiles. Even in pristine areas like the Pyrenees or US national parks plastic rain is falling down. An almost invisible threat that has ultimately made its way to us.
First Scientific Proof of Microfibres Affecting Our Lungs
Plastic microfibres are not just found in outdoor air; they can also be found inside buildings and, in particular, in the dust on the floor. Of all the floating dust in a household, 33% of it is microplastics from textiles. This is enough reason for concern, considering that these fibres might be settling on the food we eat, creating a new source of ingestion of microplastics. Research found that the ingestion of household fibres per person per year can amount to between 14.000 and 68.000 particles.
Not only that, microplastics were already found in lung tissue 30 years ago. Textile workers who process, among others, polyester and nylon fibres experienced coughing, breathlessness, and reduced lung capacity.
What makes this issue even more concerning and demands immediate action by governments and the textile industry is the latest research done by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Clothing fibres such as nylon and polyester have the potential to hinder the recovery and development of our lungs. Research in the United States also just showed for the first time that the smallest plastic particles in pregnant rats could get elsewhere in the body. They were found not only in the lungs and heart of the pregnant rat, but also in the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain of the fetus.
According to the researchers, this possibly happens to humans as well.
What Can You Do to Limit Your Exposure?
As consumers, we often feel hopeless when we hear about problems on such a global scale. Replacing your plastic bottle with a reusable one will not be enough this time. Make sure you ventilate and vacuum your home frequently to ensure that the plastic fibres are being collected.
When purchasing clothing or textiles for your home, choose sustainably sourced natural materials as much as possible. Try to stay away from fast fashion, as this model only encourages overconsumption of clothes, especially synthetic ones like polyester.
Or ask your favorite fashion brand to take responsibility for the clothes they put on the market. They must guarantee that their products do not put our environment, ourselves, and, most importantly, the next generations at risk.
Our products can be tested in government certified textile labs to guarantee that it is not handloom, but powerloom. This is an important distinction that can be made to ensure the quality of our products, and it is something that we take very seriously. We have invested in the latest technology to ensure that all of our products are made to the highest standards and are of the best quality. We also have a rigorous testing process to ensure that our products meet all safety and performance standards. By testing our products in government certified textile labs, we can guarantee that our products are not powerloom but it is pure handloom.
Our products are made with 100% natural fibers and, as a result, no synthetic fibers have been blended or mixed in. To ensure this, we offer a 25k reward to anyone who can prove that our products contain synthetic fibers. We are confident that our products are of the highest quality and that all of our customers will be satisfied with their purchases.
At our brand, we take pride in ensuring that all of our handloom products are handmade and made from 100% natural fibers. We understand that our customers trust us to provide the highest quality product, and we strive to meet that expectation every time. We guarantee that all of our products are of the highest quality and that you can trust us to provide you with a product that you will be proud to own. Our success is built on the trust and loyalty of our customers, and we take that responsibility very seriously. You can trust that our products are of the highest quality, and that you can depend on us for a long-lasting, durable product.
We understand how important product quality is to our customers, and that is why we guarantee that we will never let you down. Our commitment to creating the highest-quality products is unparalleled and can be felt each time you purchase one of our products. We are proud to give our weavers the opportunity to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, and we know that you will be delighted with the quality that they produce. So go ahead, take a chance on us and purchase one of our products today – you won’t be disappointed!
