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Covid-19 face masks: A potential source of microplastic fibers in the environment
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This commentary highlights that the massive global increase in disposable face mask production during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant new source of microplastic fiber pollution, as mask materials shed synthetic fibers into the environment.
• Disposable face masks (single use) are used to slow down the transmission rate of Covid-19 from person to person. • Unprecedented rise in the global production of face masks present a new environmental challenge due to Covid-19 pandemic. • Polymer-based face masks waste management issues are increasing. • Covid-19 is playing a key role in microplastic pollution. • Research and community awareness will be successful in making the public mindful of this problem.
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This commentary discusses how the widespread use of disposable face masks during COVID-19 has become a significant source of microplastic pollution, particularly from masks improperly discarded outside of hospital settings. The authors call attention to the environmental burden of mask litter as a growing global concern.
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.
Facemasks: A Looming Microplastic Crisis
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Single-use disposable face masks were shown to shed microplastic fibers during use and degradation, with billions of masks improperly discarded globally during the COVID-19 pandemic entering aquatic environments and releasing polypropylene and polyurethane fibers, adding a new and large-scale source of microplastic contamination.
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.
Single-use surgical face masks, as a potential source of microplastics: Do they act as pollutant carriers?
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Researchers investigated whether single-use surgical face masks, widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, are a potential source of microplastic fibers released into the environment. The study found that used masks entering uncontrolled waste streams can shed fibrous microplastics.
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.