IDENTIFICATION AND ABUNDANCE OF MICROPLASTIC IN GREYWATER FROM DOMESTIC WASHING OF TEXTILE GARMENTS

• Main Author: Aryanti Gunawan, Safira
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik saniter dan perkotaan; teknik perlindungan lingkungan
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/87475
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Plastic’s extensive use has led to environmental concerns, particularly microplastic pollution from sources like synthetic textiles. These tiny particles, released during washing, harm marine life and pose risks to human health as they enter the food chain. Greywater samples for microplastic analysis were artificially created to mimic domestic washing conditions. Clothes made of 100% polyester, 100% nylon, and a 65% cotton-35% polyester blend (0.5 kg each) were hand-washed in 3 liters of water without detergent, with 15 minutes of manual agitation. After each wash, 100 ml of greywater was collected, and the process was repeated five times, generating 15 samples. Control samples of tap water were also collected. Microplastics were analyzed using a three-stage filtration method involving mesh, chemical destruction, and final filtration through Whatman GF/C paper. Microplastic particles were observed and counted using a microscope, categorized by color and shape. Nylon generates the most microplastics, followed by polyester, while cotton-polyester blend sheds the least, due to material properties. Nylon garments generate more microplastic fragments due to accessories and likely from manufacturing processes, while most microplastics found are fibers. Transparent microplastics dominate due to the destruction process, while colored fibers likely originate from external sources like the environment.