AATCC Publishes New Test method: TM 212 for Fiber Fragment Release During Home Laundering

Several studies have concluded that fiber fragments released from textile products during domestic / industrial laundering may not completely filter out in water treatment plants and have the potential of entering and polluting our waterways.  Such fragments are being detected internally in aquatic species which may have a long term effect to our food chain.  AATCC has published a new method AATCC TM 212, “Test Method for Fiber Fragment Release During Home Laundering” to evaluate textile materials. 

This method provides a methodology to evaluate the propensity of a textile material to release fiber fragments during the process of laundering.  Though no correlation is established between actual home laundering and this procedure, it may provide an approximation of the fiber release and can be used to compare different materials.  

Definitions in the method include the following: 

• fiber fragment, n.-a short piece (typically< 5 x 10·3 m in any dimension) of textile fiber, broken away (or separated) from a textile construction.
• microfiber, n.-a fiber with linear density less than 1 denier or 1 dtex. 

It should be noted that sometimes the term microfiber and fiber fragment is used interchangeably.  In the context of this method, only the fiber fragments are taken into account. 

Bureau Veritas is offering this test in our Guangzhou (Mainland China) and Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) labs. Please contact your program manager for more details if needed. 

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