Every time we wash our clothes, we release hundreds of thousands of invisible microplastic fibers into the environment. With the dominance of synthetic fabrics in fashion, particularly fast fashion, the release of microfibres has become a public health and environmental concern.
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Recent statistics show the scale of microfibre pollution from fashion, particularly fast fashion, is unfathomably large. According to a 2022 report by the Plastic Soup Foundation, a single garment can release 700,000 microfibers per wash and dryers emit 120 million per year. Considering that 100 billion garments are produced annually, most of which are intended for short-term use, and over 75% of global garments are made of synthetic fibers, it is undeniably true that we need to take action now to reduce the production of synthetic fibers.
Microplastics have now been found in some of the most remote and pristine environments on Earth, including Arctic snow, Alpine peaks, and deep-sea sediments. What’s more alarming is that microfibers dominate the microplastic content in the air we breathe, the soil we grow food in, and the water we drink. Unlike natural fibers, they do not break down. Instead, they accumulate in our air, water, food and, ultimately, our bodies.
In this context, remediation isn’t a realistic solution. Prevention at the source is the only truly effective strategy.
Simply put, more production leads to more environmental contamination. Fashion brands knowingly use low-quality synthetics that shed profusely and are designed for disposability, not longevity. This is exactly why fashion retailers, as upstream contributors, must be seen as primary mitigators. They control the design, material choices, and manufacturing methods that determine how much shedding occurs. Holding them accountable is not just fair, it’s essential for our health, our environment and our future.
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Human health risks observed from microfibers include: correlation with lung cancer, as microplastic fibers have been found in 97% of lung cancer tissue samples; lung inflammation, reduced lung capacity; asthma; diabetes and even cancer. Adults have been found to ingest up to 52,000 particles per year through food and water, with children ingesting potentially even more than that.
The research speaks for itself to the severity of the health impacts from microfiber ingestion and inhalation. These impacts alone should be enough to justify the regulation of their production on par with tobacco and fast food industries. However, the majority of us are not aware of these risks when purchasing a new garment.
It is only fair that customers are informed and understand the risks posed by the clothing they buy. This needs to be enforced on supply chains.
Yes, we can make better choices. But this is a systemic issue that goes far beyond individual behaviour. Brands have the data. They know how much shedding happens during the production and use of synthetic clothing. They know what additives and treatments go into their garments. They know microfibers are nearly impossible to remove from wastewater. So why isn’t the industry doing more to stop it?
Garments should be tested for microfiber shedding before they reach stores. Filters should be standard in washing machines. Brands should be taxed on virgin plastic use and required to disclose shedding levels on product labels so we know what we’re buying and the risks that come with it. Above all, we need to move away from fast fashion as a business model. The endless churn of cheap, synthetic clothing is simply not compatible with a healthy planet or population.
We have seen what happens when harmful industries are left to self-regulate: delays, greenwashing, and a prioritization of profit over people and planet. If fast food and tobacco industries are held to account for the health consequences of their products, then so should fashion retailers. It is no longer just an environmental issue. It is a public health one. That’s why regulation matters. We need systemic change, not just better marketing.
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