A study by researchers at Arizona State University found swimsuits and swimwear can be a significant source of microplastics in recreational waters like pools and nearby rivers.
Researchers collected samples from the Salt River at multiple points of day when it was open to the public, and also when it was closed.
It found that there was a nearly 10-fold increase in the number of microplastics in samples collected after peak visitor times.
"So before before was around 20,025, 27,000 microplastics per cubic meter of water, and then at peak activity time it was like 222,000," said study author Kanchana Chandrakanthan.
They collected samples from swimming pools as well and noticed similar jumps.
Pierre Herckes is an ASU professor and study co-author. He said they were able to link the types of plastics directly to swimwear.
“We didn't really see rubber materials or so. And so both the shape of fibers and the chemical nature of nylon. These are things that's mostly swimsuits.”
The study was published in the Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics journal.
