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Impact of microfiber pollution on aquatic biota: A critical analysis of effects and preventive measures
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This review examines how microfibers from textiles, face masks, and other personal protective equipment are polluting aquatic environments, a problem worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Microfibers enter waterways through washing machines and waste treatment plants, where they can be ingested by aquatic organisms. The authors highlight the urgent need for better filtration technologies and waste management to reduce microfiber contamination in oceans and freshwater systems.
The widespread use of Personal protective equipments (PPEs) by the healthcare professionals and public due to Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become a new source for MFs pollution. Mismanaged plastic wastes and random dispose of used surgical face mask end up in large aquatic bodies via small waterways and waste water treatment plants (WWTPs). Microplastics/Microfibres (MPs/MFs) have recently been reported in a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including water, deep sea sediments, air and soil. Natural components like UV radiation and temperature play a major role in weathering of surgical masks. High loads of MPs/MFs emitted into the aquatic environment are easily consumed by organism's habitat in such ecosystem by disrupting the food chain and causing chronic health problems in the organisms including humans. The aim of this review article is to shed light on these issues and compile the most recent information available regarding the deterioration of surgical face masks in the environment as well as other contaminants and their presence in various environments, particularly with regard to methods that make use of exposure models, biomarkers of exposure, and their limitations. Along with this, the study focuses on identifying gaps in current understanding and highlighting prospective research directions. The literature on surgical face mask pollution and its effects on the biological and physiological systems of various organisms and ecosystems is critically analysed in this review. It also raises awareness of how to properly dispose of used surgical face masks and other PPEs.
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Impact of coronavirus pandemic litters on microfiber pollution—effect of personal protective equipment and disposable face masks
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Researchers reviewed microfiber pollution arising from disposable and reusable face masks and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that synthetic fiber shedding through littering, laundry, and disinfection represents a significant and undercharacterized addition to global microplastic pollution loads.
Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment—The Occurrence, Sources, Ecological Impacts, Fate, and Remediation Challenges
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This review summarizes the sources, occurrence, ecological impacts, and potential remediation approaches for microplastic contamination in aquatic environments, with attention to increased plastic waste from COVID-19 protective equipment. The study highlights how microplastics can adsorb toxic chemicals and be absorbed by living organisms, interfering with biological processes across the food chain.
Release of microfibers from surgical face masks: an undesirable contributor to aquatic pollution
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Researchers found that surgical face masks release large quantities of microfibers when exposed to aqueous conditions, identifying masks — whose global use surged during the COVID-19 pandemic — as a significant and underappreciated source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
A Brief Review on Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Body
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This brief review summarizes the extent of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened the problem through increased use and disposal of single-use plastic personal protective equipment including face masks and gloves. The authors call for improved waste management strategies to address this accelerating contamination.
Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
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This review examined how the massive increase in disposable face masks and PPE kits during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to microplastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Researchers found that these items break down into microplastic fibers and fragments that are ingested by marine species and can affect both environmental and human health. The study calls for more research on the specific microplastic risks from pandemic-related protective equipment.
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