Status Quo Analysis - Textile Sector

Chemical substances in textile materials production, recycling and disposal processes can be released through multiple mechanisms including migration, leaching, evaporation, and particulate releases. These release patterns depend on the inherent chemical and/or physical properties of the substance, its incorporation method into the textiles, fibre type, and handling patterns.

Three primary exposure routes have been identified through research. Direct skin contact represents the predominant exposure pathway, with studies documenting that substances like benzothiazoles and certain dyes can penetrate the skin (Ladaresta et al., 2018). Environmental release forms a second major pathway — (Swedish Chemicals Agency, 2014) estimates that between 2,000-22,000 kg of hazardous acid dyes and direct dyes are annually released to wastewater in the EU from textile washing alone. Wastewater treatment plants cannot destroy PFAS with the added problem that the treatment process can generate higher PFAS concentrations in the effluent (Schymanski et al., 2023). Indoor air quality constitutes the third significant exposure route, as textiles comprise the largest surface area in indoor environments, creating substantial potential for chemical releases through evaporation and dust particles. Understanding these exposure pathways requires examining the specific mechanisms through which chemicals move from textiles to humans and the environment. Figure 2 represents the four mentioned distinct release mechanisms — migration, leaching, particulate release, and evaporation — each contributing to different exposure scenarios.

In light of these findings, the environmental footprint of textiles is most significant during production and end-of-life stages, with manufacturing processes and waste management presenting greater environmental challenges highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions that address the entire lifecycle of textile products.