Synthetic fibers are fibers that are made by humans through chemical synthesis, as opposed to natural fibers, which are derived directly from plants or animals. Fabrics made from synthetic fibers can, through the addition of various chemicals, provide a number of advantages as compared with natural fibers, including greater strength and durability, increased elasticity, increased softness, quicker drying, greater stain resistance, ease of making waterproof, resistance to insect infestation, and greater moisture absorbency.
These advantages have resulted in a surging of output since around the middle of the last century, with synthetic fibers now accounting for roughly half of all fiber usage. Although numerous types of synthetic fibers have been developed, production is now dominated by polyester, accounting for roughly 60 percent of the total volume of output, and the top four, which also includes nylon, acrylic and polyolefin, accounts for about 98 percent.
However, there are also some major disadvantages. The most important to individual users is that clothing made from them should not be worn in areas with high temperatures or open flames, such as kitchens or laboratories, because the fibers can easily melt and cause severe damage to the skin. They can also release toxic gases and damage the lungs.
A second disadvantage is that they are causing immense damage to the environment because they are not biodegradable, or far less biodegradable than natural fibers, together with the vast quantity produced. If products containing synthetic fibers are disposed of by burial in landfills, toxic chemicals from them can leach out into the soil and groundwater. If they are dumped in the ocean and other water bodies, as often happens, especially in developing countries, the water can become contaminated and harm aquatic life. Disposal by burning can release toxic gases. Moreover, the waste from washing clothing made from synthetic fibers in laundry machines is a major source of microplastic pollution.