Lifetime prediction of non-woven face masks in ocean and contributions to microplastics and dissolved organic carbon

Face Masks: New Source of Microplastic Release in the Environment

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Researchers found that the massive global surge in disposable face mask use during COVID-19 introduced a significant new source of microplastic pollution, as masks made from polypropylene and polyurethane degrade and shed tiny plastic particles into the environment.

The Pollution of Face Masks to Marine Ecology Under the Epidemic

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Researchers analyzed how the COVID-19 pandemic-driven surge in disposable face mask usage has introduced a new and substantial source of microplastic pollution into marine ecosystems, as discarded masks break down into synthetic fibers and fragments. This highlights how public health responses can create cascading environmental crises, adding billions of plastic-laden masks to already overburdened ocean environments and threatening marine food webs.

The Adverse Impact of Synthetic Microplastics Released from Disposable Face Masks Pollutants on Aquatic Microbiota, Aquatic Species and Humans: A Review

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Researchers reviewed the microplastic pollution generated by disposable face masks, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that synthetic fibers and particles released from masks contaminate aquatic environments and pose toxicological risks to microbiota, aquatic species, and humans.

Microbial Degradation of Synthetic Plastics Released from COVID-19 Generated Single Use Disposable Face Masks

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Researchers investigated microbial degradation of synthetic plastics from COVID-19 single-use face masks, finding that pandemic-driven surges in disposable mask use added significant plastic burdens to agricultural soils, with implications for soil microbiota and ecosystem health.

Fate factors for microplastics in the marine environment