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Major study on fibre shedding implicates finishing

Synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon can persist in the environment for thousands of years, and while natural fibres like cotton may biodegrade, they also often carry chemical finishes that increase toxicity.

A new study by the UK-based The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), however, reveals that modifying chemical and mechanical finishing techniques can dramatically cut fibre loss during laundering, offering an effective upstream solution to the persistent microfibre problem.