We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Behaviors and attitudes concerning disposable masks and the environment: A D.C. high school case study
Summary
This case study examined high school students' behaviors and attitudes toward disposable mask disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread environmental contamination with masks that shed microplastics. The study highlights the gap between students' environmental awareness and their actual disposal behaviors.
Disposable masks became increasingly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in their ubiquity in the environment. Looking back at the pandemic reveals how disposable masks that end up in our environment consistently and negatively impacted species’ health. Disposable masks shed microplastics, a microscopic form of synthetic material that can contain heavy metals and other hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, which have negative impacts on the health of humans and other species in the environment. This study explores the trends in disposable mask litter in the Northwest Washington, D.C. area, and behaviors and individual approaches to handling the disposal of masks by high school students. We conducted a study of mask litter in the Northwest D.C. area via a qualitative survey of D.C. high school students and a quantitative survey of mask usage among students. Additionally, we collected data on disposable mask litter in Northwest D.C. to quantify abundance in the region. Disposable masks found in the study area may contribute to some adverse ecological effects in the local community. This study contributes to the knowledge of mask litter, specifically on the mask disposal habits of an urban high school student body during the pandemic. We hypothesized that disposable mask litter resulted from individual actions due to a lack of awareness about environmental pollution. Our results showed that individual actions did play a large role in generating disposable mask litter. We aim to bring awareness of improper mask disposal and the associated environmental pollution to the forefront of students and residents of the D.C. area.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of college students in disposing used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in DKI Jakarta Province
Not relevant to microplastics — this study surveys knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Jakarta college students regarding disposal of used face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, without addressing microplastic contamination from masks.
Face masks: a COVID-19 protector or environmental contaminant?
This review examined how the massive global use of disposable face masks during COVID-19 has created a significant source of microplastic pollution, with billions of masks entering the environment and releasing plastic fibers and chemical contaminants.
A Descriptive Analytical Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Proper Face Mask Wearing among Healthcare Professionals, Patients and Attendants in a Tertiary Care Center of North India
Researchers conducted a descriptive study assessing healthcare workers' knowledge and practice of proper face mask disposal during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread improper disposal practices including littering and mixing with general waste. The study identifies training gaps and recommends clearer disposal guidelines to prevent face masks from entering the environment as a microplastic source.
Social Dynamics of Face Masks as Single-Use Waste from the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Latin American survey found that 35% of respondents mixed face mask waste with household trash, and 61.5% were unaware of any COVID-19 waste management plan. The study highlights how lack of public knowledge about proper mask disposal led to inadequate waste management with potential environmental and public health consequences.
Face masks as environmental risk: An observational study using street - Survey in Hisar District of Haryana State
Researchers conducted an observational field survey of littered face masks in 10 localities across Hisar District, Haryana, India, quantifying the density of discarded personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found an overall density of 0.81 masks per 100 square meters, with 52% being single-use surgical masks containing plastic, highlighting improper disposal as a growing source of plastic pollution in developing countries.