Collecting microplastic samples at a municipal wastewater treatment plant and monitoring microplastic levels over the long term poses major challenges for both wastewater treatment plant operators and microplastic analysts. For municipal wastewater treatment plants, the question of how much wastewater needs to be analyzed to make a representative statement about contamination is also coming into focus and is reason enough to take a closer look at this topic.

Textiles made from synthetic fibers can release microplastics both when washed and worn. This knowledge is not new. What drove us in our study was the question of how many microplastics different basic fiber materials release and how recycled fibers perform in comparison. Our current cycling jersey comparison provides exciting and groundbreaking answers.