TY - DATA T1 - Microfiber Masses Recovered from Conventional Machine Washing of New or Aged Garments PY - 2016/09/30 AU - Niko L. Hartline AU - Nicholas J. Bruce AU - Stephanie N. Karba AU - Elizabeth O. Ruff AU - Shreya U. Sonar AU - Patricia A. Holden UR - https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Microfiber_Masses_Recovered_from_Conventional_Machine_Washing_of_New_or_Aged_Garments/4028214 DO - 10.1021/acs.est.6b03045.s001 L4 - https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/6485997 KW - Microfiber masses KW - mitigation measure KW - microfiber masses KW - 2 g KW - 7 times KW - apparel construction KW - understanding mass releases KW - front-load machines KW - Polyester apparel accounts KW - source-control strategies KW - nylon shell KW - home machines KW - mass release KW - Microfiber Masses Recovered KW - Aged Garments KW - Conventional Machine Washing KW - garment mass KW - nonwoven polyester insulation KW - microfiber removal studies KW - Wash water KW - clothing manufacturer KW - wash protocol KW - polyester market KW - microfiber release KW - microfiber mass KW - majority polyester fleece KW - 24 h KW - top-load machines KW - wastewater treatment plant N2 - Synthetic textiles can shed numerous microfibers during conventional washing, but evaluating environmental consequences as well as source-control strategies requires understanding mass releases. Polyester apparel accounts for a large proportion of the polyester market, and synthetic jackets represent the broadest range in apparel construction, allowing for potential changes in manufacturing as a mitigation measure to reduce microfiber release during laundering. Here, detergent-free washing experiments were conducted and replicated in both front- and top-load conventional home machines for five new and mechanically aged jackets or sweaters: four from one name-brand clothing manufacturer (three majority polyester fleece, and one nylon shell with nonwoven polyester insulation) and one off-brand (100% polyester fleece). Wash water was filtered to recover two size fractions (>333 μm and between 20 and 333 μm); filters were then imaged, and microfiber masses were calculated. Across all treatments, the recovered microfiber mass per garment ranged from approximately 0 to 2 g, or exceeding 0.3% of the unwashed garment mass. Microfiber masses from top-load machines were approximately 7 times those from front-load machines; garments mechanically aged via a 24 h continuous wash had increased mass release under the same wash protocol as new garments. When published wastewater treatment plant influent characterization and microfiber removal studies are considered, washing synthetic jackets or sweaters as per this study would account for most microfibers entering the environment. ER -