This paper addresses the growing concern surrounding microplastic pollution, particularly within the textile industry, and the associated potential health risks linked to the inhalation and ingestion of microplastic particles. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are increasingly found not only in aquatic environments, but also in soils, air, and food. Although research on the health impacts of microplastics is still emerging, early studies indicate that these particles could contribute to health issues, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Notably, individuals with higher concentrations of plastics in arterial plaques are more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. In the textile industry, synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic release microplastics into the air during production. The paper discusses a study conducted in a textile company that processes polyester yarns, where airborne microplastic concentrations were measured at various locations throughout the day. Particle sizes ranging from 0.3 nm to 10 nm were analyzed, revealing the presence of polyester polymers in the particulate matter. These findings underscore the widespread nature of microplastic pollution, particularly in industrial settings, and raise concerns about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to airborne microplastics. While further research is necessary to fully understand the extent of these health impacts, preliminary data suggest a troubling link between microplastic inhalation and cardiovascular conditions.

Airborne micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as a potential occupational exposure hazard, yet substance-specific workplace data remain limited. This study quantified airborne MNP concentrations during polyester microfiber production using a correlative SEM–Raman approach that enabled chemical identification and size-resolved particle characterization. The aerosol mixture at the workplace was dominated by sub-micrometer particles, with PET—handled onsite—representing the main process-related MNP type, and black tire rubber (BTR) forming a substantial background contribution. Across both sampling periods, total MNP particle number concentrations ranged between 6.2 × 10⁵ and 1.2 × 10⁶ particles/m³, indicating consistently high particle counts. In contrast, estimated MNP-related mass concentrations were much lower, with PM₁₀ levels of 12–15 µg/m³ and PM_2.5 levels of 1.3–1.6 µg/m³, remaining well below applicable occupational exposure limits and near or below 8 h-equivalent WHO guideline values. Comparison with earlier workplace and indoor studies suggests that previously reported concentrations were likely underestimated due to sampling strategies with low efficiency for small particles. Moreover, real-time optical measurements substantially underestimated particle number and mass in this study, reflecting their limited suitability for aerosols dominated by small or dark particles. Overall, the data show that workplace MNP exposure at the investigated site is driven primarily by very small particles present in high numbers but low mass. The findings underscore the need for substance-specific, size-resolved analytical approaches to adequately assess airborne MNP exposure and to support future development of MNP-relevant occupational health guidelines.

This paper presents the polypropylene (PP) micro-nano particles (MNPs) exposure routes of textile industry personnel and analyses the characteristics of such particles collected in and outside the workplaces. A Laser Aerosol Spectrometer set was used to determine: the total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, PM2.5, PM1 fractions (µm/m3), and the total number of particles (TC) (1/l) from the air. Specific methods for descriptive statistics were used to characterize the particle populations. Mean, dispersion and standard deviation, median and quartiles, skewness and kurtosis for asymmetry, and highlighting the cases in which they should be performed were calculated. The box plots and histograms graphs for TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, TC variables. The comparative analysis of the results led to the identification of the fraction of the particles with the highest value concentration in the air. The particles were collected on quartz and polycarbonate filters with gold membrane using TECORA and GilAirPlus pumps. The mass of particles collected was determined by weighing the filters before and after collection, using an electronic balance. Characterization of PP dust collected by analysis: Optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscopy, µRaman spectroscopy, FTIR, and TG-DSC allowed the identification of the shape, size, and structural footprint of PP particles.

Specialized fashion software, as a technological instrument for virtual modelling, has a critical role in reducing the length of the design process and time to market, simplifying communication with other departments and improving the quality of the creative process. This paper presents a survey of the modelling technologies used in Romanian clothing companies as a critical starting point for outlining a new methodology in teaching digital fashion. As part of the larger European survey in the framework of the Erasmus+ Digital Fashion Project, collected data from Romanian textile companies present their current needs for clothing designed with computer technologies and 3D software for virtual prototyping. According to the sampled companies, most have high (over 42%) and medium (over 33%) levels of digital skills. The most needed occupational profile was the 3D Designer, and the age expectation was between 25–40 years. The ability to design clothing patterns using virtual prototyping was the most selected preference when asked about future development requirements. The survey results are valuable both in establishing the new methodological framework for teaching digital fashion and in identifying the needs for the other project outcomes, such as the textile database, the virtual training platform, and the new curricula.

Airborne particle concentrations were quantified during the processing of textile polyester materials at the beginning and end of a work shift. Online particle concentration monitoring combined with offline microscopic evaluation of filter samples revealed that small particles dominated numerically, whereas larger particles, though less abundant, contributed disproportionately to particle mass. Correlative scanning electron and Raman microscopy showed a heterogeneous mixture of particle types, including mineral particles, particles of organic material, soot, black tyre rubber, polyester particles and fibres, together with other microplastics. For the inhalable PM10 fraction, mass-based occupational exposure limits were exceeded. The study shows that textile production can generate complex mixtures of airborne particles. It highlights the importance of assessing exposure using both particle number and mass metrics.