Bio-based fibers could pose greater threat to the environment than conventional plastics
www.eurekalert.org
New research has shown that bio-based fibres caused higher mortality, and reduced growth and reproductivity, among earthworms - a species critical to the health of soils globally - than conventional plastics. It has led scientists to suggest that materials being advocated as alternatives to plastic should be tested thoroughly before they are used extensively in a range of products. The study was carried out as part of the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project, led by researchers at the University of Plymouth and the University of Bath, and supported with £2.6million funding by the Natural Environmental Research Council.
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The original was posted on /r/science by /u/FunnyGamer97 on 2024-11-05 05:28:19+00:00.

Original Title: Bio-based fibers could pose greater threat to the environment than conventional plastics | Study finds , 30% of earthworms died after 72 hours when exposed to polyester, and those exposed to the bio-based fibres experienced higher mortality up to 60% exposed to lyocell and 80% for viscose.