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Degradation behavior and microplastic release from disposable gloves in a model environmental system
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Researchers tested latex and nitrile disposable gloves under simulated environmental conditions, finding both types release micro- and nanoplastics as they degrade, with latex breaking down faster while nitrile persists longer — highlighting PPE waste as an underappreciated source of plastic pollution.
The global increase in the use of disposable protective gloves—particularly latex and nitrile types—has escalated due to recent public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, and growing demand in sectors like food service and personal care. Consequently, the accumulation of glove waste in urban environments and landfills has raised concerns about its long-term environmental impact. This study investigates the physicochemical degradation of latex and nitrile gloves under simulated environmental conditions using a weakly acidic aqueous solution (pH 4.5) containing NaCl (0.9%), mimicking natural soil and coastal settings. Changes in surface morphology were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while chemical structure alterations were analyzed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was employed to evaluate the release of micro- and nanoplastics. Results indicate that latex gloves degrade more readily, with a dominant particle size distribution centered around 2627 nm, whereas nitrile gloves showed higher environmental persistence with particle sizes around 3077 nm. These findings highlight the differential degradation behaviors of common glove polymers and their potential to contribute to microplastic pollution under real-world conditions. The study underscores the need for improved waste management strategies, material redesign, and stricter policies for personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal, particularly in densely populated and environmentally vulnerable regions. The environmental greenness of latex and nitrile disposable gloves was assessed using the AGREEMIP framework, which evaluates 12 criteria related to chemical composition, processing, and end-of-life characteristics. Results indicate that latex gloves score significantly higher (0.52) than nitrile gloves (0.28), reflecting their lower environmental footprint and higher biodegradability.
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