托福听力

🎧 听力原文

Narrator: 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, tiny fibers, called microfibers, are shed and go down the drain. These fibers are too small to be caught by most wastewater treatment plants, so they end up in rivers and oceans. Once there, they can be ingested by marine life, entering the food chain. Studies have found microfibers in fish, shellfish, and even drinking water. The problem is significant—one single load of laundry can release hundreds of thousands of fibers. However, there are some solutions. For example, using a washing machine filter or a laundry bag designed to catch fibers can reduce emissions by up to 80%. Also, washing clothes less frequently and using cold water can help. But the most effective approach might be to change the way we produce fabrics, making them more durable and less prone to shedding. So, while individual actions matter, we also need industry-level changes.