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Used disposable face masks are significant sources of microplastics to environment

Environmental Pollution 2021 263 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Qichao Zhao, Xianchuan Chen, Qichao Zhao, Xianchuan Chen, Xiong Xiong, Xianchuan Chen, Xiong Xiong, Xianchuan Chen, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Xiaofei Chen, Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiaofei Chen, Xiaofei Chen, Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Xianchuan Chen, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qichao Zhao, Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Xiong Xiong, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu Chenxi Wu Qian Liu, Qian Liu, Chenxi Wu

Summary

Researchers evaluated whether disposable face masks release microplastics into water and found that used masks released significantly more particles than new ones, increasing from about 183 particles per piece for new masks to much higher levels after use. The study suggests that the massive increase in disposable mask consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic has made improperly discarded masks a significant new source of microplastic pollution.

Polymers

The consumption of disposable face masks increases greatly because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inappropriate disposal of wasted face masks has already caused the pollution of the environment. As made from plastic nonwoven fabrics, disposable face masks could be a potential source of microplastics for the environment. In this study, we evaluated the ability of new and used disposable face masks of different types to release microplastics into the water. The microplastic release capacity of the used masks increased significantly from 183.00 ± 78.42 particles/piece for the new masks to 1246.62 ± 403.50 particles/piece. Most microplastics released from the face masks were medium size transparent polypropylene fibers originated from the nonwoven fabrics. The abrasion and aging during the using of face masks enhanced the releasing of microplastics since the increasing of medium size and blue microplastics. The face masks could also accumulate airborne microplastics during use. Our results indicated that used disposable masks without effective disposal could be a critical source of microplastics in the environment. The efficient allocation of mask resources and the proper disposal of wasted masks are not only beneficial to pandemic control but also to environmental safety.

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