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Fate of the face masks in the environment affect human and wildlife: tons of face masks are new source for the endocrine disrupting chemicals
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Researchers examined how the massive accumulation of discarded COVID-19 face masks — primarily made of polypropylene, an endocrine-disrupting plastic — represents a new source of microplastic pollution in soils, oceans, and air worldwide. The paper discusses the health and ecological risks posed by mask-derived microplastics and endocrine disruptors for both humans and wildlife.
COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health problem affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide including Africa. Since there is no effective vaccine or treatment, self-isolation and self-protection are the only options to stop the spread of the virus. Usage of the surgical and other face masks are must during COVID-19 pandemic and millions of used masks are accumulating as trash in the environment every day worldwide. Face masks are made of plastic materials mainly polypropylene which is categorized as endocrine disruptor affecting both humans and wildlife. Contamination of face masks to soil, oceans, sea and air may have increased the amount of microplastics concentration and these microplastics from the face masks may have various negative effects on the environment. Therefore, accurate elimination and collection of used face masks from the environment should be considered to protect our world.
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This review examines how single-use face masks — billions of which were discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic — contribute to microplastic and microfiber pollution in marine environments when improperly disposed of. The pandemic created a massive new source of plastic pollution, with masks breaking down into microplastics and releasing chemical contaminants in the ocean.
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This review documented the global distribution of discarded COVID-19 masks in terrestrial and aquatic environments and quantified the microplastics they release through degradation, finding that masks generate predominantly polypropylene fibers and fragments. The co-release of chemical additives from degrading mask materials was identified as an additional pollution concern beyond the MPs themselves.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.