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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Face masks and respirators: Towards sustainable materials and technologies to overcome the shortcomings and challenges
ClearNanocellulose-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.
A Critical Review on Reusable Face Coverings: Mechanism, Development, Factors, and Challenges
This review evaluated reusable face coverings as alternatives to disposable masks, examining filtration mechanisms, material developments, and key challenges including microplastic fiber shedding from textile-based coverings during use and washing.
Facemask Global Challenges: The Case of Effective Synthesis, Utilization, and Environmental Sustainability
This review examines the environmental challenges of surging face mask production during COVID-19, including their role as sources of microplastic pollution in water, and discusses sustainable alternatives including nanomaterial-based self-cleaning mask designs.
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.
Nanotechnology-Enhanced Face Masks: Future Scopes and Perspectives
This review assessed nanotechnology-based approaches for creating reusable face masks, motivated by the massive single-use mask waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nano-enhanced masks with antimicrobial and self-cleaning properties were identified as a promising path toward reducing both environmental contamination and pathogen transmission.
Antibacterial/Antiviral Face Masks: Processing, Characteristics, Challenges, and Sustainability
This review examines the development of antibacterial and antiviral face masks — including the materials, processing methods, and antimicrobial agents used — and discusses sustainability challenges associated with mask disposal. It is tangentially relevant to microplastics because single-use masks are now recognized as a significant emerging source of microplastic and nanoparticle pollution when they fragment in the environment, though this paper focuses primarily on mask performance and design rather than their pollution impact.
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.
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.
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.
Electrospun nanofiber-based respiratory face masks—a review
Researchers reviewed advances in face mask materials during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on electrospun nanofiber membranes with nano-sized pores that offer high filtration efficiency at low weight, and highlighting the integration of metal-organic frameworks, graphene, and 3D-printing as pathways to multifunctional and reusable mask designs.
Biodegradable Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes as Promising Candidates for the Development of Face Masks
This review examines the development of biodegradable electrospun nanofiber membranes as alternatives to conventional plastic face masks. Researchers summarize progress on materials including silk fibroin, polylactic acid, chitosan, cellulose, and zein, which can achieve strong filtration performance. The study highlights that degradable nanofiber filters offer a promising solution to reduce the environmental burden of plastic pollution from disposable face masks.
What We Are Learning from COVID-19 for Respiratory Protection: Contemporary and Emerging Issues
This review examines lessons from COVID-19 for respiratory protection, analyzing how the pandemic revealed limitations in mask design, supply chains, and risk communication, while driving innovation in filtration materials including electrospun nanofiber membranes that shed microplastics.
Addressing the worldwide shortages of face masks
The COVID-19 pandemic created urgent and widespread shortages of certified face masks globally, prompting discussion of disinfection, reuse, and the development of innovative mask designs including reusable, antiviral, and biodegradable options. This prospective review outlines the materials, manufacturing challenges, and potential of these next-generation masks.
Tuneable and biodegradable poly(ester amide)s for disposable facemasks
Scientists developed biodegradable face mask filters made from novel bio-based poly(ester amide) polymers that fully degrade within 35 days. The filters matched the particle capture efficiency and breathability of commercial mask filters, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to standard disposable masks that contribute to microplastic pollution.
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.
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 Mask as a Tool to Prevent the Coronavirus Disease 2019: The Importance and Challenges
This review examined the effectiveness and challenges of face masks for preventing COVID-19 transmission. Disposable surgical masks are now recognized as a significant environmental source of microplastic fibers, as they shed synthetic particles during use and when discarded.
Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance of the Face Mask Type II
This study developed a natural nonwoven layer made from flax and cotton fibers to replace one of the three polypropylene layers in medical face masks. Replacing synthetic polymer layers in single-use masks reduces the amount of polypropylene microplastics released when discarded masks degrade in the environment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Review of the Fabrication Methods, Testing, and Performance of Face Masks
This review covered the fabrication methods, filtration performance, comfort characteristics, and certification standards of face masks and respirators, with particular attention to developments during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors identified trade-offs between filtration efficiency, breathability, and user comfort across different mask types and materials.
Nanotechnology-enabled face masks: Balancing protection and pollution in aquatic environments
This review examined the dual role of nanotechnology-enhanced face masks in providing antimicrobial protection while also releasing micro- and nanoplastics into aquatic environments when improperly disposed. The authors call for better mask design standards and disposal strategies to balance protective benefits against environmental pollution.