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Uptake and toxicity of micro-/nanoplastics derived from naturally weathered disposable face masks in developing zebrafish: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aquatic life
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Researchers exposed developing zebrafish to micro- and nanoplastics created by naturally weathering disposable face masks in water. They found that these particles caused physical malformations, increased cell death, and triggered oxidative stress in the fish embryos and larvae. The findings suggest that improperly discarded pandemic masks breaking down in waterways could pose real threats to aquatic life during early development.
The unprecedented proliferation of disposable face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with their improper disposal, threatens to exacerbate the already concerning issue of plastic pollution. This study evaluates the role of environmentally weathered masks as potential sources of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) and assesses their adverse impact on the early life stages of zebrafish. Experimental findings revealed that a single disposable mask could release approximately 1.79 × 10 particles, with nearly 70% measuring less than 1 μm, following 60 days of sunlight exposure and subsequent sand-induced physical abrasion. Remarkably, the MPs/NPs (MNPs) emanating from face masks have the potential to permeate the outer layer (chorion) of zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, due to their minute size, these particles can be consumed by the larvae's digestive system and subsequently circulated to other tissues, including the brain. Exposure to mask-derived MNPs at concentrations of 1 and 10 μg/L led to significant cases of developmental toxicity, incited oxidative stress, and prompted cell apoptosis. A subsequent metabolomics analysis indicated that the accumulation of these plastic particles perturbed metabolic functions in zebrafish larvae, primarily disrupting amino acid and lipid metabolism. The outcomes of this research underscore the accelerating possibility of environmental aging processes and physical abrasion in the release of MNPs from disposable face masks. Most importantly, these results shed light on the possible ecotoxicological risk posed by improperly disposed of face masks.
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This review examines how the widespread use of disposable face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to microplastic pollution in aquatic environments. Researchers found that mask materials made from polymers like polypropylene break down into microplastics through UV radiation and weathering, causing harm to aquatic organisms including reduced growth, neurotoxicity, and increased mortality. The study recommends developing biodegradable alternatives to plastic-based face masks to reduce environmental impact.
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Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to microparticles shed from disposable COVID-19 face masks and found that polypropylene and polyester fibers from improperly discarded masks caused subchronic toxicity after 14 days of waterborne exposure. The study highlights how the massive increase in single-use mask disposal during the pandemic created a new and poorly recognized source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments. Fish health effects from mask-derived microplastics add to growing concerns about the ecological legacy of pandemic-era waste.
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Researchers found that naturally aged facial mask microplastics caused greater toxicity in zebrafish than virgin fragments, inducing more severe oxidative stress, immune responses, and intestinal damage due to surface cracking and chemical adsorption during aging.
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Researchers investigated how disposable face masks release micro- and nanoplastics when exposed to mechanical stress in water, simulating environmental weathering. They found that even minimal deterioration of a single mask could release thousands of microplastic fibers and up to ten billion nanoscale particles. The study provides the first quantitative evidence of how pandemic-related mask waste may contribute to plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
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