Key finding.
1. Microfibers are widespread global contaminants that threaten the health Canadians and the environment. The scientific evidence is clear: there is a significant release of microfibers into the Canadian environment. Concerns about microfibers inc their environmental persistence, complex interactions in the environment, and potential to harm human and environmental health. In Canada, macrofibres account for approximate 80% of microplastic particles detected across water, soil, biota, air, and wastewater samples. Canada can serve as an international leader for macrofibre pollution science, by enabling advanced research on the release, fate and effects of macrofibres, and emphasize comparable sampling methods, analytical processing, and data processing protocols.
2. Macrofibre releases remain largely uncontrolled and unregulated. Limited regulaton and policy actions today reflect the very recent discovery of microplastics and microfibre notable environmental and public health concerns, and virtual lack of effective monitoring initiatives. This is in part due to gaps in standardized methodologies, emerging understanding of exposure and effects, and challenges in conducting human and ecologic risk assessments for these novel contaminants. However, significant advance internationally have resulted in suitable methods and tools needed to quantify and characterize the releases and environmental concentrations of microfiber's. Furthermore, some jurisdictions have started to formulate or implement strategies and regulations aimed at reducing microfibers releases. Canada should develop a national approach that acquire insights from domestic and international experiences and initiate a multi-sector / multi-agency approach that is meaningful and trackable.
3. Microfiber's are generated across the lifecycle of textile materials used for clothing Estimates from scientific and grey literature suggest that global apparel manufacturing contributes 0.12 million tonnes of microfiber's, while domestic and commercial laundry between 0.018-0.53 million tonnes of microfibres to the environment each year. Significant amounts of microfibres are thought to be released from electrical drying and everyday clothing wear, but data availability is limited.
Our analysis reveals significant micro pollution contributions to the Canadian environment through: ● Homes: . ● Wastewater: ● Biosolids: ● Commercial laundry: Preliminary estimates suggest that commercial laundry operations could be releasing up to 1,099 tonnes of macrofibres annually ● Textile manufacturing: there is insufficient data to evaluate microfibers released from textile manufacturing processes in Canada, underscoring the need for further research. By 2030, the laundering of textiles is projected to contribute 6,558 tonnes of microfibres to to Canadian environment. This is equivalent to over 44 million T-shirts. Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC)
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Microfibres are a major part of the global plastic pollution challenge. These tiny particles from clothing can be found everywhere and increasingly threaten the health of our Ocean, Land and Air and ultimately human health.
Ocean Diagnostics Inc. and Raincoast Conservation Foundation have released an excellent report on the state of microfibre pollution in Canada that recommends a new national strategy.
The report estimates that Canadians create approximately 1,920 tonnes of microfibres every year by laundering textiles, with much being distributed in the environment through the application of biosolids to farmlands and forests or through wastewater effluent. By 2030, our laundry alone is expected to have introduced 6,558 tonnes of microfibres to Canadian soil and water environments- the equivalent of 44 million t-shirts.
These reports provide Canada and other nations with actionable strategies to stop plastic pollution at the source and along its way to the environment.
“Addressing plastic pollution in all sectors of our economy is key to protecting our environment and creating a cleaner, healthier future for all. While everyone has a role to play in tackling plastic pollution, conducting and publishing sound science is important for informing future actions. This work by Ocean Diagnostics and Raincoast Conservation Foundation can help contribute to identifying solutions to better manage synthetic textiles and clothing to reduce plastic waste and microfibre pollution,” says the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
We would love to see joined up governmental action on this - The time for action is now.
https://lnkd.in/ePq9R_wG
The WI (National Federation of Women's Institutes) Tobias Arnø Fiona Thomas Avril Greenaway Steven Guilbeault Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP Virginijus Sinkevičius Perran Moon Noah Law Ben Maguire MP Cleaner Seas Group® Sarah Abbott Matter.
