A Stellenbosch University (SU) visual arts student recently hosted an educational talk on microplastics in underwear and the dangers of these components being absorbed into one’s body. The event, held at the visual arts department on 20 August, sought to highlight the potential medical repercussions of exposure to microplastics.
The reason why Juliette de Beer chose the topic of microplastics in textiles for her fourth-year project is because of her interest in health, well-being and fashion. This is according to De Beer, a Stellenbosch University visual arts student and event host. PHOTO: Erinma Nedum
This is according to Juliette de Beer, the host of the Toxic Underwear Talk, which coincided with Women’s Month. De Beer’s final-year BA (Visual Communication Design) project centers around health and wellbeing in the fashion industry.
Exposing microplastics
Research indicates that the mucous membranes in the vulva and scrotum are highly absorbent, with a dense blood supply that allows chemicals to be directly absorbed into the bloodstream, said De Beer.
“The skin on our private parts are more sensitive and absorbent than the rest of our [body],” said De Beer.
While De Beer focuses mainly on the health hazards of synthetic polymers in clothing, the production of these textiles also contributes enormously to environmental pollution and the spread of microplastics in water, soil and oceans, said Professor Lize van Robbroeck, SU visual arts professor and De Beer’s supervisor.
“I think [shopping sustainably for underwear] is important, but within reason. Like, I don’t think you can go out and change your underwear and completely change your entire lifestyle,” said Mia Salonen, a fourth-year BA (Visual Communication Design) student and event attendee. PHOTO: Erinma Nedum
De Beer’s project is a significant contribution to the visual arts industry, says Van Robbroeck.
“Visual imagery plays a very big role in advertising, to convince people to buy products. Using visual imagery to show buyers why certain products are harmful, is a good way to counter the seductiveness of the image in advertising,” Van Robbroeck added.
Small crowd, big impact
The aim of the talk was to educate students to make better choices as consumers and to be more aware of what they put on their bodies, said De Beer.
“I have a very big desire to make sure that [this information] becomes common knowledge, and that the conversation is getting started amongst consumers themselves,” said De Beer.
The yearly consumption of fiber for apparel amounts to 697 million tons globally, according to Julien Boucher and Damien Friot in their report the International Union for Conservation of Nature. GRAPHIC: Erinma Nedum
The event taught attendees about how clothing, health and fashion come together, said Mia Salonen, a fourth-year BA (Visual Communication Design) student who attended the event.
“This is an important issue that was discussed. […] It is an important aspect of a bigger environmental issue we are currently facing,” said Nica Ackerman, a BComHons (Transport Economics) student and event attendee.