“You carefully choose what goes into your body – from the food you eat to the water you drink. But have you considered the impact of what’s on your body? Fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex make up most of our clothing. These synthetics are derived from fossil fuels, essentially making them plastic.”
The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen (March 25–27, 2026) highlights microplastics as a major human health concern.
Experts will discuss evidence of plastic fibres from synthetic clothing entering air, water and human organs.
The NCC’s “Plant Not Plastic” campaign will feature prominently, stressing consumer awareness and cotton’s potential to reduce plastic exposure.
Microplastics Detected in the Human Brain
Microplastic contamination is currently the subject of intense debate, both within industry circles and among consumers. Key questions remain at the centre of this discussion: where microplastics occur in the environment, whether they pose risks to human health, and what their primary sources are.
“Every time synthetic clothes are washed and worn, tiny fragments called microplastics break away. These microscopic particles never disappear. They enter our waterways, our soil, and become airborne, finding their way into our bodies. It is estimated that we inhale or ingest anywhere from 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year.”
A recent survey conducted by Cotton Incorporated reveals significant knowledge gaps among consumers regarding microplastic pollution—especially concerning the role of everyday clothing as a major source. While the issue increasingly causes concern and discomfort, many consumers feel uncertain about what concrete actions they can take to reduce their exposure. These concerns are not unfounded. Recent studies report the presence of microplastics in the human body, including:
- Detection in vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, and even the uterus
- On average, people inhale or ingest between 74,000 and 121,000 microplastic particles per year
- Some research findings suggest that up to 130 microplastic particles per day can accumulate in the lungs through inhalation
“When consumers realize that tiny plastic fibers from clothing can end up in food, water, and even in our organs, the issue becomes very personal,” explains Marjory Walker, Vice President, Council Operations, NCC. In response to these findings, the NCC launched the new awareness campaign “Plant Not Plastic.”
Current status presented in Bremen
At the Bremen Cotton Conference, Plant Not Plastic will now play a central role in the conference program. Immediately following the keynote speeches on Wednesday, March 25, Marjory Walker of the National Cotton Council, together with Dr. Jesse Daystar of Cotton Incorporated and Dr. Richard Venditti of North Carolina State University, will present and discuss the current state of affairs.
Online access to the Cotton Conference
Conference participants who are not travelling to Bremen and have opted to participate online can follow the conference on the tried-and-tested online platform. Here, all participants have access to the main conference sessions. Participants attending in person can also follow sessions online and use the wide range of networking tools. The team from the Bremen Cotton Exchange and FIBRE will provide information on further programme topics at the International Cotton Conference with additional press releases in the runup to the event.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (MS)
