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Uncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19
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Researchers found that disposable face masks release significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastic particles when subjected to water exposure and mechanical stress similar to environmental conditions. This confirms that the massive use of masks during COVID-19 introduced new sources of microplastic pollution into the environment.
This study aims to assess the environmental impact of discarded face masks, that are a source of emerging concern as indicated by most recent literature, although still little investigated. Herein we evaluated micro- and nanoplastic particles that can be released from face mask once subject to environmental conditions. Exposure to simulated-low shear forces demonstrated to be effective in breaking and fragmenting face mask tissue into smaller debris. Even at low shear energy densities, a single mask could release in water thousands of microplastic fibers and up to 10^11 submicrometric particles. The latter were quantified using flow cytometry that was proven to be a promising technique for nanoplastic counting, thus improving our understanding on distribution and fate of NPs still representing a great analytical challenge in plastic pollution research.
More Papers Like This
Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how disposable face masks release micro- and nanoplastics when exposed to mechanical stress in water, simulating environmental weathering. They found that even minimal deterioration of a single mask could release thousands of microplastic fibers and up to ten billion nanoscale particles. The study provides the first quantitative evidence of how pandemic-related mask waste may contribute to plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Uncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19
AI summary Read the abstract
This study confirmed that disposable face masks release micro- and nanoplastic particles under environmental conditions including water exposure and mechanical stress. The release was enhanced by simulated weathering, raising concern about the environmental persistence and pollution potential of pandemic-era mask waste.
Used disposable face masks are significant sources of microplastics to environment
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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.
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.
Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution
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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.
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.