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Chemical-analytical characterization and leaching of heavy metals associated with nanoparticles and microplastics from commercial face masks and the abundance of personal protective equipment (PPE) waste in three metropolitan cities of South America
Summary
Researchers surveyed discarded face masks on streets across three South American cities and found that textile face masks release large quantities of copper, zinc, and microplastic particles when submerged in water. The findings raise concern that mask waste — particularly prevalent in low-income neighborhoods — could be a meaningful source of both metallic nanoparticles and microplastics contaminating aquatic environments.
In this study, we surveyed the presence of personal protective equipment (PPE) waste on the streets of Bogotá-Colombia, Lima-Perú, and Mar del Plata-Argentina. Furthermore, this work is also focused on the release capacity of Ag, Cu, and Zn metals associated with nanoparticles, and microplastics (MPs) from textile face masks (TFMs) and disposable face masks. According to our results, an association between low-income areas and PPE waste was found, which may be related to the periodicity of waste collection and economic activity. Polymers, like polypropylene, cotton-polyester, and additives, such as CaCO, MgO, and Ag/Cu as nanoparticles, were identified. TFMs released high levels of Cu (35,900-60,200 μg·L), Zn (2340-2380 μg·L), and MPs (4528-10,640 particles/piece). Metals associated with nanoparticles leached by face masks did not present any antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. Our study suggests that TFMs may leach large amounts of polluting nano/micromaterials in aquatic environments with potential toxicological effects on organisms.