The research has prompted scientists to recommend thorough testing of materials proposed as plastic alternatives before their widespread use in various products.
A new study suggests that bio-based materials, intended to replace conventional plastics, could pose a higher health risk to some of the planet’s most vital species.
Such materials are increasingly being advocated as environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics, and used in textiles and products including clothing, wet wipes, and period products.
However, microfibres of the materials are emitted into the environment through the laundry cycle, the application of sewage sludge as fertilizers, or the simple wear and tear of textile products.
Despite increasing quantities of bio-based products being produced and sold all over the world, there has been little research to assess their potential impact on species and ecosystems.
To address that, a new study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology tested the effects of conventional polyester fibers and two bio-based fibers –viscose and lyocell – on earthworms, a species critical to the health of soils globally.