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Leaching kinetics and release mechanisms of microplastics/nanoparticles from medical personal protective equipment into physiological fluids: A hidden occupational hazard
Summary
Medical masks, gowns, and other protective gear worn by healthcare workers can shed tiny plastic particles that get absorbed into sweat and body fluids—and sweat actually released more of these particles than fluids meant to mimic the body's internal environment. While current exposure levels appear to fall within safety limits, the researchers estimate that healthcare workers wearing this gear daily could accumulate significant plastic exposure over time, raising questions about long-term health effects that haven't been fully studied yet.
Currently, research on microplastics (MPs) primarily focuses on natural environmental media, while medical waste and personal protective equipment are emerging as overlooked sources of MPs and nanoparticles release. Research on personal protective equipment as a source of MPs remains limited. This study quantified MPs release from ten types of personal protective equipment into body fluid and sweat. Our work provides the first systematic analysis of dynamic MPs release from personal protective equipment under surgical procedures. Total release in sweat substantially exceeded that in body fluid. MPs release was governed by material structure, liquid medium, and exposed area. Although high-porosity materials exhibited elevated unit release, actual exposure depended on usable surface area. The released MPs contained multiple polymer types, primarily in the form of fragments and fibers. Mean particle sizes were 57.17 ± 16.75 μm in body fluid and 45.00 ± 12.34 μm in sweat, indicating smaller particles prevalence. Average nanoparticle concentrations reached 5.2 × 10 particles/mL in body fluid and 7.2 × 10 particles/mL in sweat. Leaching kinetics demonstrated first-order diffusion in nonwovens (R>0.97), whereas coated fabrics exhibited zero-order kinetics at 1.2 × 10 particlesmL·h. Health-risk assessment indicated non-carcinogenic hazard indices and carcinogenic risk below safety thresholds. However, both models estimated high annual exposure levels for healthcare professionals, suggesting potential long-term health risks that warrant further investigation. Analysis of the release mechanism reveals that non-woven materials are governed by internal diffusion, whereas surface-coated materials follow a surface-controlled release pattern. These findings provide critical data on MPs release and associated occupational risks.