Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas that are reshaping the materials sector. It covers the latest developments in how fashion is designed, engineered, and scaled—from emerging biomaterials and next-generation leathers to engineered fibers and sustainable alternatives.
A small University of Memphis study found that wearing polyester-containing T-shirts was associated with higher concentrations of airborne microplastics near participants’ breathing zones compared with cotton shirts.
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The pilot study, funded by the National Cotton Council’s Cotton Foundation, involved 10 participants who wore cotton and polyester-containing T-shirts during daytime activities. Researchers also collected 12-hour baseline air measurements in participants’ bedrooms and used micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify the size and chemical composition of airborne particles.
Preliminary findings showed microplastic exposure measurements up to 42 percent higher when participants wore polyester T-shirts rather than cotton. Researchers also reported concentrations approaching 2,000 particles per cubic meter near participants wearing polyester, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) identified in 99 percent of the detected airborne microplastics.
“Our findings suggest that synthetic garments are a contributing source of microplastic particles within an individual’s immediate breathing zone,” said Chunrong Jia, professor of environmental health at the University of Memphis. “While airborne microplastics exist in general indoor environments, fabric choice can affect how many microplastic particles a person is exposed to.”
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