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Personal protective equipment (PPE) litter in terrestrial urban areas of Iligan City, Philippines
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This study documents COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) litter — including face masks, gloves, and face shields — accumulating in urban areas of Iligan City, the Philippines, providing an early baseline for a plastic pollution problem that emerged from the pandemic. Because PPE is largely made of synthetic polymers, its improper disposal represents a direct source of future microplastic contamination in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Abstract In recent years, many countries have relied on the massive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) following the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These PPEs include facemasks, face shields, disinfectant wipes, and disposable gloves. While PPE can serve as protection, it can also be a source of pollution. This study is first to establish a baseline monitoring and assessment on the spatial distribution of COVID-19 related PPE litter approaching into the post-pandemic from the urban areas in a city of the Philippines. A total of 1,632 Covid-19 PPE litter were gathered in all surveyed locations; predominantly were facemasks (90%) and disinfectant wipes (10%). Among the surveyed areas, the location that recorded the highest count and density of PPE litter is in a residential zone (52.14%; n=851; 0.0317 item m-2); the lowest was determined in the recreational parks (2.57%; n = 42; 0.0016 item m-2). The relatively significant difference among the total count of PPE items in each location could be traced to the varying land-use and ecosystem as well as the human behavior and activities. FTIR results revealed that all types of facemasks sampled are principally made of polypropylene, a material that threatens environmental sustainability and low recyclability. As the country is embracing the new normal and somewhat returning to pre-pandemic activities; this study calls for the prioritization of the government agendas on ecological solid waste management in the country.
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PPE pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic environment of the Chittagong city area associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant health implications
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Researchers documented the improper disposal of face masks and other personal protective equipment in the Chittagong metropolitan area of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread terrestrial and aquatic contamination with plastic microfibers that poses risks for both viral persistence and microplastic pollution.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by COVID-19 pandemic in Marina Beach, the longest urban beach in Asia: Abundance, distribution, and analytical characterization.
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This study surveyed COVID-19 personal protective equipment littered on Marina Beach in India, finding over 1,150 items with face masks making up the vast majority. The authors measured the chemical composition of the discarded PPE and raised concerns about masks becoming a significant new source of microplastic pollution as they degrade in coastal environments.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environment, Southeast Coast of India.
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Researchers surveyed personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution including face masks and gloves in coastal and marine environments following the COVID-19 pandemic. PPE items were found at all surveyed sites, representing a new category of marine litter with potential to shed microfibers and chemical additives. The study calls for improved waste management strategies for single-use pandemic-related plastics.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment
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This review examines how discarded personal protective equipment from the COVID-19 pandemic has become a new source of microplastic and microfiber pollution. Researchers found that single-use masks, gloves, and other PPE break down into tiny plastic particles that contaminate water, soil, and air. The study highlights the environmental trade-off of pandemic safety measures and calls for better waste management strategies for healthcare materials.
Occurrence of personal protective equipment (PPE) associated with the COVID-19 pandemic along the coast of Lima, Peru
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Researchers surveyed COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) along Lima, Peru's coastline over 12 weeks, finding 138 PPE items across 11 beaches and identifying them as a new source of plastic pollution and potential microplastic generation.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.