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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance of the Face Mask Type II
ClearRecycling of disposable single-use face masks to mitigate microfiber pollution
Researchers mechanically recycled discarded disposable face masks into polypropylene-cotton blended fabrics, demonstrating an 83% reduction in microfiber release across the product lifecycle compared to masks, though complete elimination of fiber shedding was not achievable due to the inherent properties of textile materials.
Antiviral/antibacterial biodegradable cellulose nonwovens as environmentally friendly and bioprotective materials with potential to minimize microplastic pollution
Biodegradable cellulose nonwoven materials incorporating antiviral and antibacterial agents were developed as a sustainable alternative to polypropylene face masks, demonstrating comparable filtration performance with significantly faster environmental degradation, reducing the microplastic pollution burden of disposable PPE.
Face masks and respirators: Towards sustainable materials and technologies to overcome the shortcomings and challenges
This review examines the limitations of current face masks and respirators, including low filtration efficiency and non-biodegradability, and explores sustainable materials and emerging technologies such as nanofibers and biodegradable polymers to address these shortcomings.
Aerosol Filtration Testing of Fabrics for Development of Reusable Face Masks
Researchers tested the aerosol filtration performance of over 300 fabrics and layered fabric combinations for use as reusable face masks, finding that layered materials and hydrophobic coatings significantly improve filtration efficiency while maintaining breathability. The work provides practical guidance for designing effective non-disposable masks — an important consideration given that disposable mask waste, including microplastic-releasing synthetic fibers, became a major pollution concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A novel investigations on medical and non-medical mask performance with influence of marine waste microplastics (polypropylene)
This study used recycled marine microplastics made of polypropylene to manufacture face mask fabric through the melt-blown process. The researchers found they could produce effective masks while reusing ocean plastic waste, offering a way to address both microplastic pollution and mask demand. However, the long-term effects of wearing masks made from recycled microplastic materials on respiratory health need further study.
Cotton and Surgical Masks—What Ecological Factors Are Relevant for Their Sustainability?
This study assessed the ecological sustainability of cotton and surgical face masks in the context of high pandemic-driven demand, examining factors including raw material sourcing, manufacturing footprint, use, and end-of-life disposal. It found that mask type, reuse frequency, and disposal pathway strongly influence overall environmental impact.
Applicability of Membranes in Protective Face Masks and Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Face Masks with Life Cycle Assessment
A comparison of reusable and disposable face masks using life cycle assessment found that while reusable masks have lower total environmental impact over their lifetime, disposable masks shed microplastic fibers that could enter both environmental and human biological systems.
Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability
This review examines the materials, manufacturing methods, and effectiveness of face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which are made from non-biodegradable plastics like polypropylene and polyester. Researchers found that while masks are effective at reducing virus transmission, their widespread use and improper disposal have created a significant environmental concern as they break down into microplastics. The study calls for more sustainable mask materials and better waste management strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of pandemic-related plastic waste.
A Novel Face Masks and it’s Utility during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review
This review examines the technical specifications, materials, and engineering advances of face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, including both commercial and homemade options. Researchers discuss the environmental impact of disposable masks, noting that their widespread use has contributed to microplastic pollution as mask materials degrade. The study highlights the need for mask designs that balance effective viral protection with reduced environmental contamination.
Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying
Researchers tested the filtration efficiency of various face masks and found that layering a cloth mask over a surgical mask improved particle filtration by about 25%, and that cotton masks retained their filtration ability even after 52 wash-and-dry cycles. However, the study also observed that repeated washing gradually broke down cotton fibers into micro- and nano-scale fragments, raising a subtle concern about microfiber shedding from laundered cloth masks.
Different Type of Face Masks and Their Protection Against Covid-19
This review examined the protective effectiveness of different face mask types against COVID-19. While focused on masks as infection control, surgical and N95 masks are a significant source of microplastic fibers released into the environment during use and disposal.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Amount of Plastic Waste and Alternative Materials in the Context of the Circular Economy
This study examined biodegradable alternatives to polypropylene for personal protective equipment like face masks, which generated enormous amounts of plastic waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers tested a biodegradable nonwoven fabric and confirmed it was not toxic to cells and could break down over time. The work addresses the growing concern that discarded masks and PPE are a significant source of microplastic pollution in the environment.
Development of reusable cloth mask with nanoparticle filtration efficiency greater than 95%
Researchers developed a reusable cloth mask with nanoparticle filtration efficiency greater than 95%, motivated by the environmental concerns of single-use surgical and respirator masks that shed microplastic fibers, evaluating the novel mask material's filtration performance against respiratory droplets and particulates.
Fabrication of microplastic-free biomass-based masks: Enhanced multi-functionality with all-natural fibers
Researchers developed a new biodegradable face mask made entirely from natural plant and animal fibers, eliminating the microplastic shedding associated with conventional disposable masks. The mask achieved 95.9% filtration efficiency, strong antibacterial performance against common bacteria, and could even detect ammonia levels in breath for health monitoring. This microplastic-free design offers a more sustainable alternative to standard surgical masks.
Eco-design Actions to Improve Life Cycle Environmental Performance of Face Masks in the Pandemic Era
This study evaluated the environmental impact of single-use face masks throughout their life cycle and proposed eco-design strategies to reduce their footprint. The massive increase in disposable mask use during COVID-19 generated significant plastic waste and potential microplastic pollution.
Analysis of the Optimal Use of Fabric Masks and Disposable Medical Masks During the COVID-19
This paper is not about microplastics — it compares the environmental, economic, and public health trade-offs of disposable medical masks versus reusable cloth masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nanocellulose-based membrane as a potential material for high performance biodegradable aerosol respirators for SARS-CoV-2 prevention: a review
Researchers reviewed nanocellulose-based membrane materials as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic face mask filters, finding that cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals offer promising filtration efficiency, biocompatibility, and environmental safety compared to single-use plastic-based respirators.
Microplastics/nanoplastics released from facemasks as contaminants of emerging concern
This review examines how disposable facemasks, made primarily from polypropylene and polyethylene, release microplastics and nanoplastics into the environment. Chemical, physical, and biological processes break down discarded masks into tiny plastic particles that persist in ecosystems. Given the billions of masks used during COVID-19, this represents a significant and growing source of microplastic pollution.
Mechanical characterizations of waste face masks reinforced polyester composites: Recycling wastes into resources
Researchers explored recycling discarded face masks into composite materials by combining shredded mask fibers with polyester resin. The resulting composites showed promising mechanical strength comparable to natural fiber alternatives, suggesting that waste face masks could be repurposed rather than ending up as microplastic pollution in the environment.
Mechanical Recycling of Disposable Protective Masks
Disposable face masks — a major source of pandemic-era plastic waste — were mechanically recycled through extrusion to assess whether their polypropylene layers retain useful material properties. The study found that mechanical recycling had only minor effects on thermal properties, suggesting masks could be diverted from landfill and reprocessed into raw material, reducing the chance that mask fibers fragment into environmental microplastics.
Disposable face masks release micro particles to the aqueous environment after simulating sunlight aging: Microplastics or non-microplastics?
This study characterized particles released from surgical, N95, KN95, and children's masks after simulated sunlight aging, finding that most released particles (66-99%) were non-plastic materials such as synthetic or natural fibers. Children's masks released the most microplastics, at 8.92 times the quantity of surgical masks, with polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer types.
Study of Recycling Potential of FFP2 Face Masks and Characterization of the Plastic Mix-Material Obtained. A Way of Reducing Waste in Times of Covid-19
Researchers showed that FFP2 face masks can be mechanically recycled without pre-sorting their composite materials, producing a polymer blend with thermal and mechanical properties comparable to recycled polypropylene — offering a practical route to divert pandemic mask waste from the environment.
The impact and effectiveness of the general public wearing masks to reduce the spread of pandemics in the UK: a multidisciplinary comparison of single-use masks versus reusable face masks.
This study compared the filtration effectiveness and environmental impact of single-use versus reusable face masks during COVID-19, finding that reusable masks can be comparable in protection while significantly reducing plastic waste. Billions of disposable masks ended up in the environment during the pandemic, releasing microplastic fibers and fragments as they degraded.
Needleless electrospun phytochemicals encapsulated nanofibre based 3-ply biodegradable mask for combating COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers developed a three-layer biodegradable face mask combining cotton outer layers with a polylactic acid nanofibrous filtration layer infused with plant-derived antimicrobials, achieving 97.9% bacterial filtration efficiency and demonstrating biodegradation in a microbial slurry — offering a potential eco-friendly alternative to single-use synthetic masks.