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The Analysis of Soil Contamination Related to Mask Production and Consumption during COVID-19 Pandemic
Summary
This study analyzed soil contamination from polypropylene microplastics released during the production and use of surgical face masks, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mass production of masks created a large new source of polypropylene microplastics entering soil via improper disposal and manufacturing waste.
This paper focuses on the analysis of possible sources of soil contamination related to mask production, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The target of the study is to analyze two possible sources, mask production and mask consumption, to evaluate their contributions to soil contamination. Based on the analysis of current studies, one of the composites of surgical masks, polypropylene, is harmful to the environment. Considering that researching the universal situation of soil contamination can be too broad to investigate soil contamination, this paper proposes that China performs a good case study. Using statistics on mask production and particulate matter pollution led to the conclusion that only mask consumption and disposal result in contamination instead of the manufacturing process of masks in industries. At last, China’s response to soil contamination is also examined. Therefore, this paper concludes and discusses several possible actions that could be adopted to combat soil contamination in China.
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