Microfiber’s Negative Impact on Health
Microfiber Products on a Traditional Cleaning Cart
The following is a follow-up to a recent article on CleanLink, which I co-authored with industry expert, Allen Rathey. That article discussed the negative impacts of microfiber, which are just now coming to light.
Microfiber products, long praised for their effectiveness and presumed environmental benefits, are now - we are learning, - linked to serious health risks for cleaning workers, textile workers and consumers.
For instance, recent studies have identified the following health conditions linked to microfiber exposure, usually through inhalation during manufacturing, use, or washing of the products:
Byssinosis: A lung disease that can be more severe than asthma
Respiratory illnesses, varying in severity
Allergic reactions
Damage to epithelial cells, which protect internal and external body surfaces
The scope of this problem is staggering. In major microfiber-producing countries including China, Pakistan, and India, up to 40% of textile workers show varying degrees of byssinosis.
Additionally, microfiber materials can harbor harmful substances including addictive chemical compounds, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, bacteria, and fungi. Continued exposure to these contaminants can accelerate health and respiratory problems.
But what is most troubling: many of these health impacts are irreversible.
Why Are We Learning This Now
As we discussed in our initial article about the downside of microfiber, several factors contributed to the delayed understanding of microfiber's health impacts:
Limited Research History: Microfiber products were first introduced in the 1960s, however systematic scientific studies of microfibers environmental and health effects only began recently.
Regulatory Gaps: Few regulations govern microfiber production and use, and third-party certification standards are largely absent.
Benefits Overshadowed Risks: For decades, microfiber's advantages dominated the conversation. For consumers, the material's comfort, durability, wrinkle resistance, and lightweight properties made it popular for all types of clothing, starting decades ago with women's swimwear.
Industry Adoption: Twenty-five years ago, the professional cleaning industry embraced microfiber as the perfect complement to Green Cleaning practices, because it improves cleaning efficiency and removes soil using less water and fewer chemicals.
Consumer Awareness: Public concerns about the health risks of microfiber have only recently emerged.
Moving Forward: Innovation and Alternatives
Allen and I both believe the professional cleaning industry has demonstrated remarkable innovation, especially over the past twenty-five years.
Manufacturers are consistently developing new products that improve effectiveness while protecting cleaning worker health, the environment, and promote sustainability. This track record provides reason for optimism.
We suspect research and development efforts are already underway to create healthier, high-performing, and cost-effective alternatives to microfiber cleaning cloths and mops. As these products emerge, industry trade shows like ISSA will be among the first platforms to showcase them.
The path forward requires continued research, innovation, and commitment to worker safety, healthy cleaning, and sustainability. While microfiber once seemed like the perfect solution, our evolving understanding demands alternatives that don't compromise human health – and we know they are on their way.
Steve Ashkin is president of the Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in Green Cleaning and sustainability. Steve is recognized as one of the one hundred most important contributors to the professional cleaning industry in ISSA’s 100-year history.
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Sources:
Microfiber Pollution: An Emerging Environmental Concern from Textile, Environmental Science, published: January 30, 2024
Microfiber Pollution in the Earth System. Reviews Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Published Dec. 6, 2022