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Identification of Microplastics and Non-Microplastics Released from Masks under Environmental Conditions
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Researchers found that single-use surgical masks worn during the COVID-19 pandemic release microplastics under environmental stress, with UV exposure generating the most particles (approximately 120 items per mask), followed by mechanical abrasion and high-temperature exposure.
Single-use plastic masks had been widely used in the background of COVID-19, which became the potential source of microplastics. This study focused on the release and characterization of microplastics and non-plastic microparticles from single-use surgical masks (SMs) under simulated environmental conditions. In this work, we found that most microplastics were released from SMs under UV exposure (120.00 ± 17.44 items/mask). Mechanical abrasion (76.00 ± 22.63 items/mask) and high temperature exposure (68.00 ± 0.00 items/mask) could also significantly promote the release of microplastics contrasted to the control groups (37.33 ± 8.33 items/mask). The main polymer types of microplastics were PP and PET. In addition, the total particles were released from masks as the order of mechanical abrasion (17.42 ± 2.25 × 103 items/mask) > UV exposure (5.12 ± 1.62 × 10 3 items/mask) > high temperature exposure (4.57 ± 3.47 × 103 items/mask) > control groups (2.83 ± 1.46 × 10 3 items/mask). Among them, there were varied and complex non-microplastics particles (22 kinds total) detected in the experiments. This study provides help to better understand the potential risk of microplastics and different component types of non-plastic microparticles released from masks under simulated environmental conditions.
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Detection and Quantification of Micro(nano)plastics Release from Photolysis of Surgical Masks
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Researchers simulated 900 days of UV photolysis on surgical mask polypropylene and detected both microplastics larger than 10 µm (10 mg per mask item) and nanoplastics averaging 149 nm, demonstrating that mask degradation releases particles small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract.
Neglected microplastics pollution in global COVID-19: Disposable surgical masks
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Researchers found that disposable surgical masks release approximately 360 microplastic particles in still water, with the number increasing significantly under agitation or when exposed to detergents and alcohol. After just two months of natural weathering, the masks became fragile enough to potentially release billions of microplastic fibers upon entering water. The study highlights that pandemic-related mask waste represents a substantial and largely overlooked new source of microplastic pollution.
Micro- and nano-particles release from disposable plastic face masks under simulated UV weathering
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Disposable plastic face masks, widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, break down under UV exposure into a heterogeneous mix of microplastics and nanoplastics that can enter water, soil, and food chains. This study used state-of-the-art analytical tools to characterize the particles released, helping quantify masks as a significant novel source of environmental plastic pollution that emerged alongside the pandemic.
Fate of Microplastics Released by DiscardedDisposable Masks
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Researchers simulated the degradation of disposable face masks under UV irradiation and found that after 28 days, masks released large numbers of microplastic particles, with the main chain structure of mask polymers breaking down. The findings raise concerns about the significant additional microplastic pollution generated by the billions of masks discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19
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Researchers found that disposable face masks release significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastic particles when subjected to water exposure and mechanical stress similar to environmental conditions. This confirms that the massive use of masks during COVID-19 introduced new sources of microplastic pollution into the environment.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.