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Wet wipes contribution to microfiber contamination under COVID-19 era: An important but overlooked problem
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Researchers highlight that the surge in wet wipe use during COVID-19 — for disinfection and medical purposes — has become an overlooked but significant source of microfiber pollution, with wipes already turning up in marine plastic litter surveys. They call for dedicated studies on how different wipe materials shed fibers and degrade under environmental conditions to fully account for pandemic-related plastic pollution.
Wet wipes for disinfection, sanitizing, and medical purposes, like personal protective equipment, have witnessed an upsurge in production and use as a result of COVID-19 outbreak. They are a potential source of microfibers and have recently been found in COVID-19 plastic litter survey campaigns conducted in a few marine environments around the world. This mini-review highlights wet wipes as a one of the key debris items contributing to the growing COVID-19-related microplastic pollution, and there are significant gaps in our understanding of microfiber release under different environmental conditions, morphological, and chemical degradation signatures, necessitating a comprehensive study of disinfectant wipes. Thus, we urge microplastic researchers to investigate the environmental implications of wet wipes in order to keep the total estimate of the plastic problem up to date and manage the associated environmental challenges.
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Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks are becoming new sources of fiber microplastic pollution during global COVID-19
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Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks were identified as growing sources of microplastic fiber pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic, with environmental degradation of these products releasing billions of synthetic fibers into water and soil environments.
Impact of coronavirus pandemic litters on microfiber pollution—effect of personal protective equipment and disposable face masks
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Researchers reviewed microfiber pollution arising from disposable and reusable face masks and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that synthetic fiber shedding through littering, laundry, and disinfection represents a significant and undercharacterized addition to global microplastic pollution loads.
The role of wet wipes and sanitary towels as a source of white microplastic fibres in the marine environment
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White microplastic fibers found near a wastewater outfall were chemically matched to fibers from commercially available wet wipes and sanitary towels, many of which are made from polyester and polypropylene rather than natural materials. The study identifies these flushed personal hygiene products as a direct source of white synthetic fibers in coastal marine sediments.
Face masks: a COVID-19 protector or environmental contaminant?
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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.
Release of microfibers from surgical face masks: an undesirable contributor to aquatic pollution
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Researchers found that surgical face masks release large quantities of microfibers when exposed to aqueous conditions, identifying masks — whose global use surged during the COVID-19 pandemic — as a significant and underappreciated source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.