Environmental Degradation due to Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic fibres like nylon, polyester, rayon, and acrylic are made from petroleum-based products. They are widely used in the textile industry because they can withstand the harsh detergents, don't shrink, and are of low cost. However, they are non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle. The environmental impact of the manufacturing and application of synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester is reviewed in this chapter. Synthetic fibres are the main source of microplastic pollution. It releases microfibres during production, processing, and use. Nylon, a synthetic polyamide, emits nitrous oxide during manufacturing, contributing to global warming. In addition to this, nylon contaminates water during the colouring process and remains in the environment forever. Polyester, the most popular fabric used for clothing worldwide, is made from fossil fuels, water, and air. It takes centuries to biodegrade, but it disintegrates into microfibres before that. Washing machines release these microfibres into rivers and land, contributing to microplastic pollution. Recent studies show that metric tonnes of synthetic microfibres are released annually. The impact of rayon and acrylic production and application is also reviewed in this chapter.