Identification and Quantification of Microplastic with Fibre Shape

Plastics are synthetic materials obtained into various shapes by using different processes such as extrusion, moulding, spinning and casting. They show highlighted mechanical, chemical and thermal characteristics. They are becoming materials ubiquitous for the different industrial sectors from packaging to paint, tyres and textiles, revolutionizing the containers for products, for packaging and for carrying bags and clothing. However, it is usually non-biodegradable and therefore can remain as waste in the environment for a very long time for weathering and degradation become small particles called microplastics, polluting the marine and other habitats. Microplastics can concentrate persistent organic pollutants via partitioning and they can be ingested by marine biota, thereby entering in the food chain with the potential effect on human health. Synthetic clothing represents a primary source of environmental pollution because of the shedding of microplastics in laundry washing machine and textile processes. In fact, the rapid growth of fiber production has caused significant impacts on people and planet. It increases more than doubled in the last 20 years and is expected to reach 145 million mt in 2030. The synthetic fibers have dominated the fiber market since the mid-1990s and made up approximately 62 percent of the global fiber production in 2018. In particular, polyester for its characteristic and versatility had a market share of around 51.5 percent of total global fiber production. (1) At present, there are no precise standard guidelines to follow for quantification of microplastic released from textiles materials and processes. This research study carried out between Aquafil SpA and CNR STIIMA (Biella Department) is in progress and it is focused on the setting up of the microplastics standard determination with fiber shape in different matrices present in the textile field such as wastewater from clothes washings, water effluents or solids from industrial processes and air. At present, the Draft PrENISO 4484-2 Textiles is currently being evaluated by the ISO and CEN commissions, particularly in its CEN Enquiry stage. Depending on the kinds of water sample, a pre-treatment of the sample to eliminate inorganic and organic contaminants (e.g. biological) that could interfere with their identification can be required. The method involves a preliminary step of observation of the sample under an optical microscope and subsequent identification of micron and submicron microplastics with molecular spectroscopy using two spectroscopy techniques such as Micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy) and Micro-Raman (Raman Spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy) and providing data about the size, the numerical concentration of MPs, etc. The method also provides a procedure for preparing synthetic microfilaments standard suspensions to facilitate lab tests and the monitoring of microplastic in different matrices. Moreover, a robust ecotoxicological methodology based on several biotests useful for studying the effects of this type of pollutants has been reported. 1.Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report 2019. Textile Exchange. Creating material change.