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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Evaluation of Fiber and Debris Release from Protective COVID-19 Mask Textiles and in Vitro Acute Cytotoxicity Effects.
ClearParticles 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.
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.
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.
Impact of coronavirus pandemic litters on microfiber pollution—effect of personal protective equipment and disposable face masks
Researchers reviewed microfiber pollution arising from disposable and reusable face masks and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that synthetic fiber shedding through littering, laundry, and disinfection represents a significant and undercharacterized addition to global microplastic pollution loads.
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.
Laundering of face masks represents an additional source of synthetic and natural microfibers to aquatic ecosystems
Researchers measured microfibers released from five types of reusable and disposable face masks during a single machine-washing cycle, finding an average of 285 microfibers per mask, with cotton-based masks releasing the most natural fibers and polyurethane masks releasing the most synthetic ones.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Viruses and Their Penetration Through Fibrous Structures: a Review
This review examines how viruses interact with and penetrate fibrous structures such as face masks and respirators, analyzing the filtration mechanisms and material properties that determine the protective efficacy of textile barriers against airborne viral transmission.
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.
Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying
Researchers tested the filtration efficiency of various face masks and found that layering a cloth mask over a surgical mask improved particle filtration by about 25%, and that cotton masks retained their filtration ability even after 52 wash-and-dry cycles. However, the study also observed that repeated washing gradually broke down cotton fibers into micro- and nano-scale fragments, raising a subtle concern about microfiber shedding from laundered cloth masks.
Mask material: challenges and virucidal properties as an effective solution against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
This review examines the filtration efficiency, breathability, and virucidal properties of different mask materials against SARS-CoV-2, finding that cotton mask performance improves with higher thread count and more layers but at a cost to breathability.
Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials
Researchers tested seven common respirator and face mask materials for how well they filter airborne particles and whether they shed fibers. The N95 respirator performed best with over 95% filtration efficiency, while cotton masks filtered only about 25% of particles; one mask also shed tiny dendrite structures similar in size to its nanoscale fibers.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Neglected 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.