Model-based evaluation of global release and transport flux of fiber microplastics from household textile laundry source

GUO Yan; LIU Xia-yu; WANG Yan; WANG Hao-fan; FAN Yu-juan; LIU Huan-jia; CHENG Ke

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China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1) : 409-415.

Model-based evaluation of global release and transport flux of fiber microplastics from household textile laundry source

GUO Yan¹, LIU Xia-yu¹, WANG Yan², WANG Hao-fan¹, FAN Yu-juan¹, LIU Huan-jia¹, CHENG Ke¹

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Abstract

To quantitatively assess fiber microplastic emissions and their spatial distribution resulting from household laundering, a release and transport flux model was developed. This model, which integrates global textile consumption data with microplastic emission factors from laundering, was used to evaluate how variations in washing behaviors and wastewater treatment capacities across different countries and regions influence fiber microplastic release patterns. The simulation results indicated that the global emission of fiber microplastics from household washing reached approximately 2298.8kt in 2022. India, China, and the United States were identified as the top three contributors, with estimated emissions of 624.5kt, 471.4kt, and 332.8kt, respectively. Following wastewater treatment, significant regional differences in microplastic removal efficiency were observed. North America exhibited the highest removal rate at 78%, while removal efficiencies in Asia and Africa below the global average. Ultimately, fiber microplastics not retained during wastewater treatment entered the marine environment via river systems. The Ganges River (16.5kt), the Yangtze River (12.4kt), and the Indus River (5.1kt) were identified as the rivers with the highest annual fluxes of fiber microplastics into the ocean.

Key words

fiber microplastics / flux estimation / ocean / migration pathway

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GUO Yan, LIU Xia-yu, WANG Yan, WANG Hao-fan, FAN Yu-juan, LIU Huan-jia, CHENG Ke. Model-based evaluation of global release and transport flux of fiber microplastics from household textile laundry source[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(1): 409-415

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