The fashion industry harbors a secret with far-reaching consequences for our environment—most synthetic clothing is made from plastic, contributing to a significant issue: the infiltration of large quantities of microplastic fibers into natural water ecosystems.

The staff at the National Institute of Microbiology emphasized the severity of the problem, stating, “The release of microplastics into the marine environment is a major issue contributing to water pollution.”

In aquatic environments, these microplastics absorb toxic substances, get ingested by aquatic organisms, accumulate in the food chain, and eventually enter the human body. While various sources contribute to microplastic dispersion, the significant role of microfibers from our clothes had been overlooked until recently. When washing garments made of materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, tiny plastic microfibers are shed into domestic wastewater, and if not intercepted, they make their way into rivers.

A groundbreaking process, electro-oxidation, has emerged to tackle this issue head-on. This method not only captures the fibers but also breaks them down. Using diamond and titanium electrodes, plastic microfibers undergo electrolysis, transforming them into natural molecules and preventing their entry into the environment through wastewater discharge. Patrick Drogui, an electrotechnical scientist involved in the research, explains, “Using electrodes, we generate hydroxyl radicals (-OH) to attack the microplastics. This process is environmentally benign because they are broken down into carbon dioxide and water molecules that are non-toxic to the ecosystem.

In experiments, the researchers observed an 89 percent degradation of 26 µm-sized polystyrene microbeads in just six hours when using boron-doped diamond and titanium electrodes in artificially contaminated water samples. However, challenges remain. The high cost of diamonds is a concern, although the team believes the building blocks can be reused for extended periods. Real-world testing is also necessary to validate the process’s effectiveness under various conditions and contaminants.

The researchers envision integrating similar devices into commercial laundries and potentially washing machines. By targeting laundry wastewater directly, they aim to enhance the effectiveness of electrolytic degradation, recognizing that while wastewater treatment plants capture particles, further treatment is often needed. Given that 80% of global wastewater remains untreated before being released into the environment, significant work is still required to address this pressing issue.

While various wastewater treatment plant processes capture a high percentage of larger particles, electro-oxidation holds practical value in treating the microplastics that remain. Addressing the root cause—the prevalence of microplastics in oceans originating from textile fabrics—requires urgent action. Although completely abandoning plastic-based clothing may be a challenging path, innovative solutions like electro-oxidation provide hope for mitigating the environmental impact of synthetic apparel.

In the search for sustainable solutions, tackling the fashion industry’s plastic-derived microfiber problem is crucial. Beyond electro-oxidation, exploring cost-effective alternatives to diamond components and conducting real-world tests on diverse contaminants will enhance the process’s efficacy. Additionally, bridging the gap in wastewater treatment—where 80% of wastewater remains untreated globally—requires collaborative efforts. While current methods capture particles, integrating electro-oxidation could transform the wastewater treatment landscape, offering a more effective way to combat microplastic pollution.

The urgency to reduce microplastics in oceans calls for a comprehensive approach, urging industries to prioritize eco-friendly materials. As we reach this critical juncture, innovation, affordability, and the broader adoption of responsible practices will be key drivers of lasting change.

In addressing the environmental impact of synthetic clothing, the development of electro-oxidation represents a significant step toward reducing plastic microfiber pollution. However, beyond its initial success, the scalability and cost-effectiveness of this technology require further exploration to ensure its practical application in diverse environments. Real-world trials involving various contaminants will be essential to validate its universal effectiveness and ensure it can be widely adopted.