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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Significant Fragmentation of Disposable Surgical Masks—Enormous Source for Problematic Micro/Nanoplastics Pollution in the Environment
ClearNeglected microplastics pollution in global COVID-19: Disposable surgical masks
Researchers found that disposable surgical masks release approximately 360 microplastic particles in still water, with the number increasing significantly under agitation or when exposed to detergents and alcohol. After just two months of natural weathering, the masks became fragile enough to potentially release billions of microplastic fibers upon entering water. The study highlights that pandemic-related mask waste represents a substantial and largely overlooked new source of microplastic pollution.
Uncovering 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.
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.
Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19
Researchers investigated how disposable face masks release micro- and nanoplastics when exposed to mechanical stress in water, simulating environmental weathering. They found that even minimal deterioration of a single mask could release thousands of microplastic fibers and up to ten billion nanoscale particles. The study provides the first quantitative evidence of how pandemic-related mask waste may contribute to plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
The behavior of microplastics and nanoplastics release from UV-aged masks in the water
UV irradiation of three types of disposable masks in water progressively damaged their structure over 15-30 days, releasing microplastics and nanoplastics at rates that increased exponentially with irradiation time, with an estimated release of up to 3.66 x 10^10 particles per mask over 1-3 years of environmental exposure.
Long-term release kinetic characteristics of microplastic from commonly used masks into water under simulated natural environments
Researchers studied the long-term release of microplastics from four types of face masks (cotton, fashion, N95, and disposable surgical) in simulated natural water conditions over 12 months. The study found that all mask types continuously released microplastic fibers and fragments in a time-dependent manner, with particles predominantly smaller than 20 micrometers, accompanied by physical degradation and photo-oxidation. These findings suggest that improperly discarded masks are an ongoing source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Detection and Quantification of Micro(nano)plastics Release from Photolysis of Surgical Masks
Researchers simulated 900 days of UV photolysis on surgical mask polypropylene and detected both microplastics larger than 10 µm (10 mg per mask item) and nanoplastics averaging 149 nm, demonstrating that mask degradation releases particles small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract.
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.
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.
Release of microfibers from surgical face masks: an undesirable contributor to aquatic pollution
Researchers found that surgical face masks release large quantities of microfibers when exposed to aqueous conditions, identifying masks — whose global use surged during the COVID-19 pandemic — as a significant and underappreciated source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Fate of Microplastics, Derived from Disposable Masks, in Natural Aquatic Environments
This review examines the fate of microplastic fibers released from disposable face masks in aquatic environments, noting that used masks can release up to 10,000 microplastic pieces per day per mask. The review covers transport mechanisms, surface interactions, and potential ecological impacts of mask-derived microplastics in water bodies.
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.
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.
Environmental Decay of Single Use Surgical Face Masks as an Agent of Plastic Micro-Fiber Pollution
Researchers observed the environmental decay of single-use polypropylene surgical face masks discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic in real outdoor settings, documenting the rate and progression of photo-oxidative fragmentation and micro-fiber release over time under natural weathering conditions.
The Release Potential of Microplastics from Face Masks into the Aquatic Environment
This study examined the release of microplastics from new and naturally aged surgical and FFP2 face masks exposed to environmental conditions and water, finding that both types released particles, particularly after weathering. Improper disposal of face masks poses a growing source of microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.
A multi-analytical approach to investigate UV-induced degradation and micro/nanoparticle release from disposable plastic face masks
Researchers subjected disposable face masks to long-term UV-B aging in water to assess degradation and pollutant release. Aging caused structural fragmentation, surface oxidation, and the release of chemical additives and micro/nano-plastic particles, demonstrating that improperly disposed masks become a persistent source of both MPs and chemical contaminants.
Uncontrolled Disposal of Used Masks Resulting in Release of Microplastics and Co-Pollutants into Environment
This review documented the global distribution of discarded COVID-19 masks in terrestrial and aquatic environments and quantified the microplastics they release through degradation, finding that masks generate predominantly polypropylene fibers and fragments. The co-release of chemical additives from degrading mask materials was identified as an additional pollution concern beyond the MPs themselves.