How do synthetic clothes release microplastic fibers during washing?

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Ubiquitous plastics — plastic pollution A volunteer collecting plastic nurdles (pellets less than 0.2 inch [0.5 centimeter] in diameter) at Barreiras Beach, Corrubedo, Spain.

Synthetic clothing releases microplastic fibers during the laundering process primarily through mechanical abrasion. As garments made from synthetic textiles—such as nylon—are agitated in a washing machine, the friction causes the fibers to break away from the fabric.1

These released fibers are classified as primary microplastics. Once detached, they are typically flushed out of the machine and into wastewater systems, eventually entering the environment where they persist due to their non-biodegradable nature. This process represents a significant channel through which plastic pollution reaches aquatic ecosystems and other environments.1