Microfibers generated by the clothing industry disrupt the metabolism of oysters even at low doses. The roughness of the surface of natural fibers is greater and likely causes stronger inflammation of the digestive walls during transit.
The textile industry also uses up to 8,000 different chemical components to improve the properties of clothing, dyeing or pesticide treatment. Each year, about 2 million tons of microfiber, mainly of natural origin, are discharged into the oceans, largely through domestic washing machines.