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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Determinants of Face Mask Waste Management as a Health Behavior to Protect the Environment
ClearDeterminants of Face Mask Waste Management as a Health Behavior to Protect the Environment
A survey of Indonesian parents found that most people have sufficient knowledge and a supportive attitude toward proper face mask disposal, yet lack access to dedicated disposal infrastructure such as mask waste bins or waste banks. Since disposable masks are made primarily of polypropylene, improper disposal contributes to microplastic formation in the environment. The study identifies access and structural barriers — not just awareness — as the key obstacles to preventing mask-derived microplastic pollution.
Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of college students in disposing used masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in DKI Jakarta Province
Not relevant to microplastics — this study surveys knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of Jakarta college students regarding disposal of used face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, without addressing microplastic contamination from masks.
Understanding Level of Pkk Banjar Purwa Santhi Benoa on Medical Mask Waste Management and Strengthening Health Protocols in Controlling COVID-19 Infection
Researchers assessed community understanding of single-use medical mask waste management in Bali, Indonesia during COVID-19, finding gaps in knowledge that raise concerns about both environmental pollution and continued virus transmission from improper disposal.
A Descriptive Analytical Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Proper Face Mask Wearing among Healthcare Professionals, Patients and Attendants in a Tertiary Care Center of North India
Researchers conducted a descriptive study assessing healthcare workers' knowledge and practice of proper face mask disposal during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread improper disposal practices including littering and mixing with general waste. The study identifies training gaps and recommends clearer disposal guidelines to prevent face masks from entering the environment as a microplastic source.
Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh
Researchers surveyed WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) behaviors and COVID-19 protective equipment disposal practices in Bangladesh, finding that while most respondents had good sanitation access and used face masks, over 50% disposed of used masks and gloves with regular household waste — creating a potentially serious microplastic and infectious waste pollution pathway.
Perception and Attitudes Toward PPE-Related Waste Disposal Amid COVID-19 in Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study
Public perceptions of and attitudes toward disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) waste were surveyed in Bangkok, Thailand, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Most respondents lacked information on proper PPE disposal, with improper disposal behavior increasing the risk of PPE-derived microplastic pollution entering the environment.
Social Dynamics of Face Masks as Single-Use Waste from the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Latin American survey found that 35% of respondents mixed face mask waste with household trash, and 61.5% were unaware of any COVID-19 waste management plan. The study highlights how lack of public knowledge about proper mask disposal led to inadequate waste management with potential environmental and public health consequences.
The Role of Women in Management of Mask Waste in Indonesia in the Era of the Covid-19 Pandemic
This study examined the role of women in managing disposable mask waste during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, finding that women played a critical role in household waste sorting and proper disposal that reduce environmental contamination.
Predictions of hazardous plastic waste amounts based on disposable face mask wearing habits
Researchers surveyed Lithuanian public attitudes toward face mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic and used the data to predict the amounts of hazardous plastic waste generated from disposable mask usage, finding a troubling proportion of the population resisted mandates despite infection control rationale.
Community practices of face mask use and associated knowledge and attitude in a Malaysian town during the COVID-19 pandemic
This survey studied face mask use practices and related knowledge and attitudes in a Malaysian town during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study offers insights into pandemic-related behavior with implications for managing the surge in mask-related plastic waste.
Behaviors and attitudes concerning disposable masks and the environment: A D.C. high school case study
This case study examined high school students' behaviors and attitudes toward disposable mask disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread environmental contamination with masks that shed microplastics. The study highlights the gap between students' environmental awareness and their actual disposal behaviors.
Analysis of Waste Separation Drivers in Urban Centers Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Model
Not relevant to microplastics — this study uses behavioral theory to identify what motivates residents of Balikpapan, Indonesia to separate household waste, finding that accessible facilities and past behavior are the strongest drivers, with no direct connection to microplastic research.
Disposable Face-Mask Waste Management and Assessment Through Willingness to Pay and SWOT Framework in Post COVID-19 Pandemic
This study used willingness-to-pay surveys and SWOT analysis to understand how people in post-COVID contexts value disposable mask waste management. Participants showed moderate willingness to pay for proper mask disposal services. Since COVID masks are made of polypropylene, better mask waste management reduces their contribution to microplastic pollution in the environment.
Factors Related to Reducing The Use of Plastic Bags in Kabupaten Bekasi
This Indonesian survey study examined the factors that influence whether people in Bekasi Regency reduce their use of plastic bags, finding that knowledge, attitudes, and access to alternatives were key predictors. Reducing single-use plastic bag consumption is important for limiting the amount of plastic that fragments into microplastics in the environment. The paper provides insights for designing behavior-change interventions aimed at plastic pollution reduction.
Surveying Medical Mask Waste Generation in Can Tho University, Vietnam
This paper is not about microplastics; it surveys how students at a Vietnamese university use and dispose of medical face masks, finding poor waste classification practices and generating estimates of daily mask waste volumes.
Environmental Rehabilitation in Waste Management Disposable House-hold Medical Mask
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper discusses legal and procedural frameworks for managing disposable medical mask waste in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparative Analysis of Face Mask Usage and Environmental Impact in Asian Cities during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic
This comparative analysis examined face mask usage patterns and their environmental impact across Asian cities, estimating the volume of mask waste generated and the resulting microplastic and fiber pollution from improper disposal.
The Massive Misuse of Face Mask as a Risk to COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin American: The Case of Mexico
Researchers examined face mask waste mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico and Latin America, finding that inadequate waste management infrastructure, poor public compliance, and high single-use mask consumption created significant environmental contamination risks in already strained waste systems.
Research on Design Strategy of Mask Recycling Service Based on Behavior Environment
This Chinese design research study proposed a service system for collecting and properly disposing of used face masks, which surged in volume during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are made from polypropylene microfibers that can become environmental microplastics if not managed properly after disposal.
Investigating the knowledge, attitude and perception on microplastic pollution: a comparison between residents in Temerloh living in urban and rural areas
Researchers surveyed urban and rural residents of Temerloh, Malaysia, on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of microplastic pollution, finding gaps in awareness that contribute to poor waste management behaviours and ongoing environmental contamination.
Public Handling of Protective Masks from Use to Disposal and Recycling Options to New Products
This paper examines how disposable surgical masks — widely used during the pandemic — are being disposed of and their environmental impacts, including the release of microplastic fibers. The authors discuss recycling options and the public's current relationship with mask waste.
Face mask littering in coastal environment of Coromandel beaches, a comparison between street and beach littering- perspective and perceptions.
This Indian study assessed face mask littering at coastal beach stations in the Coromandel region over four weeks, finding that beaches with both fishing and tourism activity had the highest mask litter. Disposable face mask littering adds polypropylene fibers to coastal environments where they fragment into microplastics over time.
From Protection to Pollution: The Impact of Mask Use on Micro(nano)plastic Release
This bibliographic review found that global mask consumption during COVID-19 reached as high as 2.5 trillion single-use masks per month, with Asia as the largest consumer, and documented how improper mask disposal releases microplastics and nanoplastics into terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Review of the valorization options for the proper disposal of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers reviewed waste management options for the surge in discarded polypropylene face masks during COVID-19, finding that improper disposal contributes directly to microplastic pollution, and proposing valorization strategies — including energy recovery and material upcycling — tailored to country-level infrastructure and emergency conditions.