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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Implementation of jute-based nose holder in surgical masks to reduce plastic contamination
ClearThe 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.
Reusable fabric face masks and single-use surgical masks were compared for filtration efficiency and particle shedding, with single-use masks providing better protection against airborne pathogens but generating more plastic waste, while reusable cotton masks reduced waste but required proper washing protocols to maintain effectiveness.
Global daily mask use estimation in the pandemic and its post environmental health risks: Analysis based on a validated dynamic mathematical model
Researchers developed a mathematical model to estimate daily disposable mask usage across 214 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and projected how discarded masks contribute to microplastic pollution. The model estimated billions of masks were used daily at peak periods, releasing massive quantities of microplastic fibers as they degrade. The study provides a tool for policymakers to assess the long-term environmental health risks 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.
Exudation of microplastics from commonly used face masks in COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers simulated real-world mask usage and found that commonly used face masks — including surgical and cloth types — shed measurable quantities of microplastic particles that could be inhaled by the wearer, raising concerns about respiratory exposure during prolonged mask use.
Impact of medical face mask wear on bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability
Researchers investigated whether medical face masks could be safely worn beyond the manufacturer-recommended 4-hour limit, finding that extended wear under various simulated conditions affected bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability, with implications for reducing mask-related plastic waste.
The Ultra Fit Community Mask - Toward Maximal Respiratory Protection via Personalized Face Fit
Researchers developed modifications to standard disposable face masks to greatly improve their fit against the face, increasing protection against airborne pathogens. Better-fitting masks reduce the need for disposable mask overuse, potentially reducing the plastic waste generated by single-use PPE.
Recycling 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.
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
Researchers compared single-use and reusable face masks across effectiveness, environmental impact, and cost during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The study found that while single-use masks have higher standalone filtration performance, reusable masks adequately slow respiratory virus transmission and generate over 85% less waste, 3.5 times lower climate impact, and 3.7 times lower costs than single-use alternatives.
Particles and fragments in unused disposable face masks: A microscopic analysis
Researchers microscopically examined commercially available surgical masks and found particles and fragments in the 2–40 micrometer range on fiber surfaces inside all masks tested, raising questions about whether mask wearers may inhale these microplastic-sized particles.
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.
Pemanfaatan Masker Limbah COVID-19 Sebagai Upaya Mengurangi Pencemaran Lingkungan
This study examines the problem of COVID-19 disposable mask waste in Indonesia and proposes strategies for repurposing mask materials to reduce environmental contamination, discussing the composition of medical masks, the surge in single-use mask demand during the pandemic, and the environmental hazards of improper mask disposal.
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.
Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions
Researchers reviewed the global face mask pollution crisis following COVID-19, estimating massive production volumes and finding that most disposal pathways generate secondary microplastic pollution or toxic emissions, and proposing countermeasures including biodegradable mask development and improved waste management policy.
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.
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.
Applicability of Face Masks as Recyclable Raw Materials for Self-Made Insulation Panels
Researchers tested whether used surgical face masks could be repurposed as building insulation panels. The study suggests that mask-based panels perform well as thermal insulators, show acceptable fire resistance and water vapor permeability, and could offer a low-cost way to improve indoor comfort while keeping plastic waste out of landfills.
Fabric structure and polymer composition as key contributors to micro(nano)plastic contamination in face masks.
Researchers investigated how the structure of face masks — including surgical polypropylene and fashionable polyurethane masks — influences the generation of micro- and nano-plastics during normal wear and UV aging. The findings show that mask material composition and fabric structure are key determinants of how much plastic particles are shed into the wearer's breathing zone.
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.
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.
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.
Reutilizing Single-Use Surgical Face Masks to Improve the Mechanical Properties of Concrete: A Feasibility Study
Researchers investigated reutilizing single-use surgical face masks as a material to improve the mechanical properties of construction or composite materials. The study demonstrates a potential upcycling pathway for pandemic-generated mask waste, converting a pollution problem into a resource.
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.
Study of Surface Morphology and Effectiveness of Common Nasopharyngeal Masks: A Case of Kathmandu, Nepal
Researchers tested 38 face masks — including cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 respirators — against PM10 and PM2.5 particles using a mannequin head setup in Kathmandu, Nepal, finding significant variation in filtration efficiency among mask types. The study provides practical guidance on mask effectiveness for particulate matter protection in real-world conditions.
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.