TOEFLリスニング

🎧 リスニング原文

Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising source of pollution—your laundry. When you wash synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, they shed tiny plastic fibers called microplastics. These fibers are less than five millimeters long, and they wash down the drain with the wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants aren't designed to catch all of them, so many end up in rivers and oceans. Once there, they can be ingested by fish and other marine life, which then enter the food chain. Interestingly, studies show that a single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of these fibers. The amount depends on factors like fabric type, detergent, and water temperature. For example, using warm water and regular detergent seems to increase shedding. Some companies are now developing filters for washing machines, and there are also recommendations to wash less frequently and use cold water. However, these solutions are not yet widespread. The key point is that we need to consider the full lifecycle of our clothing, not just how we dispose of it. This is a growing concern, but also an opportunity for innovation. Now, let's discuss some potential solutions.