Are plastic fibers from synthetic blankets a microplastic source?
Yes. Polyester and fleece blankets can shed microplastic fibers, especially during washing and drying, and those fibers can enter indoor dust, air, and wastewater.
What's actually in it
Synthetic blankets are often made from polyester, acrylic, or nylon. These are plastic-based fibers. As blankets rub, pill, wash, and dry, small fibers can break loose.
Those fibers can collect in lint, indoor dust, and air. Some also leave the home through laundry water or dryer vents.
What the research says
A 2020 Science of the Total Environment study used a blue polyester fleece blanket in a domestic dryer and confirmed that mechanical drying released airborne microplastic fibers into indoor air.
A 2020 PLOS ONE study also used polyester fleece blankets and found fibers near outdoor dryer vents, showing that dryers can move microfiber pollution outside the home.
A 2022 international house-dust study measured microplastics in dust from 108 homes in 29 countries and modeled the highest dust-related exposure for infants.
What to do at home
If a synthetic fleece blanket is pilling, shedding lint, or breaking down, replace it when you can. Choose cotton, bamboo, wool, or alpaca blankets for beds, couches, and kids' rooms. Clean the lint trap every load and avoid high heat when the care label allows it.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Airborne emissions of microplastic fibres from domestic laundry dryers. | Sci Total Environ | 2020 |
| Electric clothes dryers: An underestimated source of microfiber pollution. | PLoS One | 2020 |
| International quantification of microplastics in indoor dust: prevalence, exposure and risk assessment. | Environ Pollut | 2022 |
What to use instead
For worn synthetic fleece blankets, choose cotton, bamboo, wool, or alpaca options instead.
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