We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Exudation of microplastics from commonly used face masks in COVID-19 pandemic
ClearUncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19
Researchers found that disposable face masks release significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastic particles when subjected to water exposure and mechanical stress similar to environmental conditions. This confirms that the massive use of masks during COVID-19 introduced new sources of microplastic pollution into the environment.
Preliminary study on the ejection of microplastics from different types of face masks
Researchers tested surgical masks, cloth masks, and N95 respirators to see how many microplastics they release. They found that all types shed microplastic fibers, with surgical masks releasing the most particles, and that used masks shed more than unused ones. The study raises awareness that face masks, while important for health protection, are themselves a source of microplastic exposure.
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.
Disposable face masks: a direct source for inhalation of microplastics
Using a piston device that simulated human breathing, researchers found that surgical masks release microplastic particles ranging from 300 nm to 2 mm during normal use, including nanoscale particles capable of penetrating deep lung tissue. Because surgical mask use surged during COVID-19, these findings raise serious questions about a previously unrecognized daily inhalation exposure route for microplastics.
Need for Assessing the Inhalation of Micro(nano)plastic Debris Shed from Masks, Respirators, and Home-Made Face Coverings During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Researchers raised concerns about potential inhalation of micro- and nanoplastic particles shed from face masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a gap in existing quality standards. They called for regulatory attention to respirable plastic debris from protective equipment.
Single-use surgical face masks, as a potential source of microplastics: Do they act as pollutant carriers?
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.
A threat or not? A global-scale investigation on microplastics inhalation during the first-ever worldwide face-mask wearing against the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers built a custom inhalation simulator to test whether wearing face masks increases or decreases microplastic inhalation. They conducted measurements across different mask types and found that while masks do release some microplastic fibers, they generally provide net protection by filtering out airborne particles. The study provides evidence that mask-wearing during the pandemic likely reduced, rather than increased, overall microplastic inhalation.
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.
Identification of Microplastics and Non-Microplastics Released from Masks under Environmental Conditions
Researchers found that single-use surgical masks worn during the COVID-19 pandemic release microplastics under environmental stress, with UV exposure generating the most particles (approximately 120 items per mask), followed by mechanical abrasion and high-temperature exposure.
Health outcomes attributed to inhalation of microplastic released from mask during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review
This systematic review examined how face masks worn during COVID-19 release microplastics that can be inhaled. The most common particles were polypropylene fibers smaller than 300 micrometers. Inhaled microplastics were linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and potential cancer risk. These findings highlight a lesser-known health trade-off of widespread mask use during the pandemic.
Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation
Researchers found that each surgical or N95 face mask can release over one billion nanoplastic and microplastic particles, mostly smaller than one micrometer, when they break down. The study also detected microplastics in the nasal mucus of mask wearers, suggesting inhalation exposure during use. Additionally, mask-derived particles were shown to adsorb onto marine organisms across different levels of the food chain, raising concerns about both human health and environmental impacts.
Face masks: a COVID-19 protector or environmental contaminant?
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.
COVID-19: Performance study of microplastic inhalation risk posed by wearing masks
Researchers tested how different types of face masks affect the risk of inhaling microplastics during breathing. They found that while masks generally reduce exposure to granular microplastics, surgical, cotton, and activated carbon masks can increase fiber-like microplastic inhalation, and reusing disinfected masks raises particle exposure further. N95 masks offered the best protection, reducing spherical microplastic inhalation risk by over 25 times compared to wearing no mask.
Uncovering the Release of Micro/nanoplastics from Disposable Face Masks at Times of COVID-19
This study confirmed that disposable face masks release micro- and nanoplastic particles under environmental conditions including water exposure and mechanical stress. The release was enhanced by simulated weathering, raising concern about the environmental persistence and pollution potential of pandemic-era mask waste.
Assessment of inhalation exposure to microplastic particles when disposable masks are repeatedly used
Researchers assessed whether reusing disposable medical masks leads to inhalation exposure to microplastics by testing masks under simulated wearing conditions. They found that hand-rubbed new masks released approximately 1.5 times more microplastic particles than untouched ones, and reused masks released even more through physical abrasion. The predominant particles were polypropylene and polyethylene fragments, raising concerns about repeated mask use as a source of microplastic inhalation.
Evaluation of the leaching of microplastics from discarded medical masks in aquatic environments: a case study of Mashhad city
Researchers tested ten brands of COVID-19 face masks for microplastic release in water, finding that N95 masks shed the most particles due to their heavier construction, with fibers being the most common shape released. The findings highlight that the billions of disposable masks used globally each month represent a significant and growing source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
A review of disposable facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus on microplastics release
This review examines the environmental threats posed by disposable face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on microplastic release. Researchers found that discarded masks undergo physical and chemical degradation in the environment, generating microplastics that contaminate both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The study provides an overview of current knowledge on microplastic extraction methods and proposes strategies for controlling mask-related plastic pollution through source reduction and improved waste management.
Microplastics release from face masks: Characteristics, influential factors, and potential risks
This review found that disposable face masks, used widely since the COVID-19 pandemic, release microplastics -- mostly transparent fibers smaller than 1 millimeter -- especially after UV exposure, extended wear, and disinfection for reuse. The health risk of inhaling these mask-derived microplastics directly into the lungs should not be overlooked, particularly for healthcare workers and others who wear masks for long periods.
Release of microplastics from disposable face mask in tropical climate
Researchers found that disposable face masks — a major source of pandemic waste — release hundreds of microplastic particles per mask into water, with release rates increasing significantly at higher temperatures and with longer aging, raising concerns about their contribution to environmental plastic pollution.
Release kinetics of microplastics from disposable face masks into the aqueous environment
Researchers measured microplastic release from three types of disposable face masks into water over 24 hours, characterizing the release kinetics and identifying mask type and environmental conditions as key factors affecting microplastic shedding rates.
Simulation of the Long-Term Ageing of Polypropylene-Made Disposable Surgical Masks and Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Researchers artificially aged polypropylene surgical masks under simulated environmental conditions and modeled their long-term oxidative degradation, finding that mask polymers undergo progressive fragmentation that will generate microplastics for years to decades after disposal in the environment.
Nasal lavage technique reveals regular inhalation exposure of microplastics, not associated from face mask use
Researchers used nasal lavage, a technique that rinses the nasal cavity, to measure microplastics that people inhale during normal daily activities. They found an average of about 28 microplastic particles per sample across all participants, with eight different polymer types detected. Notably, the study found no significant difference in microplastic levels between different types of face masks, suggesting that everyday environmental exposure is the primary source of inhaled microplastics rather than mask materials.
Microplastics from face masks: A potential hazard post Covid-19 pandemic
Researchers quantified the annual face mask usage and associated plastic waste across 36 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, estimating total annual mask usage exceeding 1.5 million tonnes and associated plastic waste of approximately 4.2 million tonnes. The study highlights that global COVID-19 responses substantially increased environmental microplastic burdens from single-use face mask disposal.
Kinetic characteristics of microplastic release from commonly used masks in aquatic environment
Researchers tested four mask types (normal, fashion, N95, and disposable surgical) by exposing them to simulated natural water environments over 12 months at 3-month intervals to characterize the kinetics of microplastic release. They found time-dependent release patterns that varied by mask construction, documenting structural degradation and quantifying microplastic fiber shedding as a function of duration, with implications for environmental risk assessment of pandemic-related mask pollution.