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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Sign in to save

SARS-CoV-2 variants and environmental effects of lockdowns, masks and vaccination: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters 2021 19 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 35 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Shirin Akter, Shams Forruque Ahmed M. Mofijur, M. Mofijur, Marzuka Ahmed Zakia, Shams Forruque Ahmed Marzuka Ahmed Zakia, Shams Forruque Ahmed M. Mofijur, M. Mofijur, Shams Forruque Ahmed M. Mofijur, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, M. Mofijur, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, T.M.I. Mahlia, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Shams Forruque Ahmed Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Gulam Khandaker, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, M. Mofijur, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, T.M.I. Mahlia, M. Mofijur, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, M. Mofijur, T.M.I. Mahlia, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, M. Mofijur, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Dai‐Viet N. Vo, Shams Forruque Ahmed

Summary

Researchers reviewed how COVID-19 control measures — lockdowns, face masks, and vaccination — affected environmental pollution, finding that while lockdowns improved air quality, the surge in disposable mask waste and cold-chain vaccine logistics introduced new environmental burdens.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continuously evolving and four variants of concern have been identified so far, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. Here we review the indirect effect of preventive measures such as the implementation of lockdowns, mandatory face masks, and vaccination programs, to control the spread of the different variants of this infectious virus on the environment. We found that all these measures have a considerable environmental impact, notably on waste generation and air pollution. Waste generation is increased due to the implementation of all these preventive measures. While lockdowns decrease air pollution, unsustainable management of face mask waste and temperature-controlled supply chains of vaccination potentially increases air pollution.

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