What are the environmental impacts of milk fiber?

• To consider milk fiber as sustainable or environmentally friendly is still a big question because the production process of the fiber releases a certain toxic chemical. Using the conventional process has certain drawbacks such as the use of formaldehyde which is a harmful chemical and can prove to be fatal and the workers if exposed to even low-level of formaldehyde can cause skin irritation and respiratory disorder.

• The other innovative method also has certain negative points such as the use of acrylonitrile which is a synthetic substance and does not decompose in the environment. The acrylonitrile fabric gets collected in the landfill over the year and is difficult to degrade not only that these fabrics are also highly flammable.

• The studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conclude that acrylonitrile is a cancer-causing substance and might cause health issues for the workers in the manufacturing units.

• Thus, there is a need to shift towards more sustainable methods of production of milk fibers.

• In addition, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Authentication was granted to the pure milk fiber producing industry in April 2004 which approves casein fiber to be sustainable.