Studies have revealed that traces of micro-plastics have been found in human blood and the brain.

In 2004, Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and his team were the first to show that micro-plastic particles are globally present in our seas and have accumulated in oceans since the 1960s.

Over the years studies have shown that micro-plastics can be consumed via food and water as well as breathing them in. Plastics protecting our food, plastic bottles, packaging and microfibre in our clothing are culprits of micro-plastics.

When synthetic clothes are washed, tiny plastic strands known as microfibres, come off and travel through our wastewater pipes and into the soil, rivers and oceans and as a result are regularly found inside fish and shellfish that we eat.

Current studies have yet to determine the exact amount of ingested microfibres that poses a health risk, however they have shown that microfibres can enter the placenta, liver, lungs, muscles and brain. This information tells us we need to seriously consider the material content of our clothes. Natural fibres such as wool, cotton, silk, leather (or plant based alternatives) and linen are some of the best materials to choose.

At LLUK we work with some of the finest fabric mills that offer content conscious collections. If you have a project that requires specific attention to detail, get in touch with our Private Label Manager Alex Mitchell via LinkedIn.