ABUNDANCE OF SYNTHETIC FIBERS FROM MALAYSIAN HOUSEHOLDS LAUNDRY
Nur Sakinah Roslan (a), Maisarah Jaafar (a,b), Noorlin Mohamad (a,b), Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim (a,b), Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd Khalik (a,b), Sabiqah Tuan Anuar (a,b), Sofiah Hamzah (c), Asmadi Ali@Mahmud (c), Nor Salmi Abdullah (d), Nasehir Khan E.M Yahya (d) and Alyza Azzura Azmi (a,b,c*)

(a) Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia.
(b) Microplastic Research Interest Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia.
(c) Environmental Sustainable Materials Research Interest Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia.
(d) Water Quality Laboratory, National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia.

*alyza.azzura[at]umt.edu.my

Abstract

Microplastics are new contaminants of emerging concern in our environment. Microfibers are one of the major pillars of primary microplastics, which are released in the form of tiny particles of <5 mm in size. This research aimed to quantify the shedding of microfiber from clothes using different laundry systems. Microfibers released from laundry discharges from either top or front load washing machines under different setting programs were visually sorted and identified through an optical an electron microscope (physical) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (chemical) analysis. Black microfibers were counted as a dominant color. The SEM images suggested that the microfibers were produced as a result of delamination of surfaces, as evidenced by the presence of cracks, pits, adhering particles, and grooves on the surface. The obtained microfiber polymeric materials comprised rayon (40.3%-86.4% matched), polyethylene of high density (92.7%-95.6%), polyester (70.5%-86.9%), nylon (42.4%), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (40.1%). Various resins such as polyamide resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, phenoxy resin, and zein purified were found in the samples. We conclude that the microfibers released during laundry activities are an important source of microfibers in aquatic environments. Thus, proper treatment to remove these microfibers before release to waters systems is required.

Keywords: Malaysia- domestic laundry- discharge- microplastic- polymers

Topic: Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology