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COVID-19 Face Masks as a Long-Term Source of Microplastics in Recycled Urban Green Waste
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Researchers found that COVID-19 face masks disposed of in urban green waste streams persist through composting and release synthetic microfibers and fragments into compost products, making them a long-term source of microplastic contamination in recycled organic material applied to soils.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many governments recommended or mandated the wearing of fitted face masks to limit the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via aerosols. Concomitant with the extensive use of non-sterile, surgical-type single-use face masks (SUM) was an increase of such masks, either lost or discarded, in various environmental settings. With their low tensile strength, the spunbond and melt-blown fabrics of the SUM are prone to shredding into small pieces when impacted by lawn cutting equipment. Observations highlight the absence of smaller pieces, which are either wind-dispersed or collected by the mower’s leaf catcher and disposed together with the green waste and then enter the municipal waste stream. As proof-of-concept, experiments using a domestic lawn-mower with different height settings and different grass heights, show that 75% of all pieces of SUM fabric caught in the catcher belonged to sizes below 10 mm2, which under the influence of UV light will decay into microfibers. The implications of SUM generated microplastics are discussed.
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Researchers assessed the environmental threat posed by face masks discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that masks contain polypropylene fibers that can fragment into microplastics and persist in the environment. The study calls for better mask disposal strategies and environmental monitoring to track mask-derived microplastic pollution.
The Analysis of Soil Contamination Related to Mask Production and Consumption during COVID-19 Pandemic
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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.
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This review examined how the massive global use of disposable face masks during COVID-19 has created a significant source of microplastic pollution, with billions of masks entering the environment and releasing plastic fibers and chemical contaminants.
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Researchers reviewed how discarded face masks from the COVID-19 pandemic break down into microplastics and affect soil ecosystems. They found that mask-derived microplastics alter soil structure, change microbial community composition, and can release harmful chemical additives into the ground. The study suggests that the massive increase in mask waste during the pandemic has created a new and significant source of soil microplastic pollution.
Microplastics identification and quantification in the composted Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste
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Researchers quantified microplastics in composted organic municipal solid waste from five facilities, finding contamination levels that raise concerns about compost quality and the potential transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils through organic waste recycling.
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