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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Community practices of face mask use and associated knowledge and attitude in a Malaysian town during the COVID-19 pandemic
ClearKnowledge, 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.
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.
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.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Face Mask Use among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Researchers surveyed 255 university students on face mask handling and disposal during COVID-19, finding that mask type choices were influenced by gender and age, while disposal practices and hand hygiene habits varied significantly by educational level.
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.
Determinants 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.
Disposal Behavior of Used Masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Moroccan Community: Potential Environmental Impact
Researchers surveyed face mask disposal behavior in two major Moroccan regions during the COVID-19 pandemic and estimated the volume of mask waste generated. They found that over five million masks per day, equivalent to roughly 40,000 kg, were being discarded in the studied regions alone. The study highlights the significant environmental risk posed by pandemic-related plastic waste, which can break down into microplastics in both land and marine environments.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Plastic Pollution among Malaysians
Researchers assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward plastic pollution among 294 Malaysian respondents via an online survey, using descriptive statistics, KAP scoring, and cross-tabulation to evaluate variation across sociodemographic groups. The study found that while awareness of plastic pollution was present, gaps between knowledge and actual waste reduction behavior persisted across the surveyed population.
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.
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.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution
Researchers surveyed Malaysians about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding plastic pollution. The study found that while most people were aware of plastic pollution problems, there was a significant gap between awareness and actual behavior change. The findings suggest that education campaigns alone are insufficient and need to be paired with practical infrastructure and policy changes to reduce plastic use.
Determinants 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. (Note: this appears to be a duplicate of paper 39919.)
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.
Managing Mask Waste in the New Normal Era
This literature review examines mask waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that used masks and other personal protective equipment have become a major contributor to global waste and infectious disease risk, with community education and local government oversight identified as essential for proper disposal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Understanding the environmental impacts of facemasks: a review on the facemask industry and existing life cycle assessment studies
This review examined the environmental life cycle impacts of disposable face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that the surge in mask production and disposal created a significant new source of plastic waste and microplastic pollution globally.
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.
Face masks as environmental risk: An observational study using street - Survey in Hisar District of Haryana State
Researchers conducted an observational field survey of littered face masks in 10 localities across Hisar District, Haryana, India, quantifying the density of discarded personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found an overall density of 0.81 masks per 100 square meters, with 52% being single-use surgical masks containing plastic, highlighting improper disposal as a growing source of plastic pollution in developing countries.
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.
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.