The Lab
Specimen No. 0106
AvoidSyntheticmaterialhousehold chemical

Polyester / Nylon (Microplastic Shedding)

polyester · nylon · synthetic fabric

Synthetic textiles shed thousands of microplastic fibers per wash cycle that enter waterways and food chain. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, placenta, and breast milk.

medium confidence
Researched April 18, 2026

Concerns

  • Up to 700,000 microfibers shed per wash cycle per garment (PLoS ONE 2016)
  • Microplastics detected in human blood (Nature Medicine 2022), lungs, placenta, and breast milk
  • Act as carriers for chemical pollutants (PCBs, PAHs) into food chain
  • Marine microplastic contamination now ubiquitous — no pristine ecosystem unaffected

Regulatory flags

  • EU restricting intentionally added microplastics (2023 REACH amendment)
  • Detected in human blood and placental tissue

Commonly found in

Polyester clothingFleeceNylon activewearCarpetsUpholstery

Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.

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