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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Reconciling human health with the environment while struggling against the COVID-19 pandemic through improved face mask eco-design
ClearEco-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.
Facing COVID-19: Quantifying the Use of Reusable vs. Disposable Facemasks
This study compared the environmental cost of single-use surgical masks versus reusable cloth masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reusable masks had a significantly lower environmental impact per use, especially when washed efficiently. The findings support policies favoring reusable masks to reduce pandemic-related plastic waste.
Life cycle assessment and circularity evaluation of the non-medical masks in the Covid-19 pandemic: a Brazilian case
Researchers applied life cycle assessment and material circularity analysis to reusable cotton face masks and single-use nonwoven masks in Brazil, finding that cotton masks have better environmental performance after five uses and higher circularity, with human health impacts representing the most significant environmental burden category.
Disposable over Reusable Face Masks: Public Safety or Environmental Disaster?
This review compares the public health benefits and environmental impacts of disposable versus reusable face masks in the context of COVID-19. While disposable masks consistently provide higher protection, they contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, landfill waste, and microplastic pollution. The study discusses the need for approaches that balance pandemic safety with environmental sustainability.
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.
Analysis of the Optimal Use of Fabric Masks and Disposable Medical Masks During the COVID-19
This paper is not about microplastics — it compares the environmental, economic, and public health trade-offs of disposable medical masks versus reusable cloth masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding the environmental impacts of facemasks: a review on the facemask industry and existing life cycle assessment studies
This review examined the environmental life cycle impacts of disposable face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that the surge in mask production and disposal created a significant new source of plastic waste and microplastic pollution globally.
Applicability of Membranes in Protective Face Masks and Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Face Masks with Life Cycle Assessment
A comparison of reusable and disposable face masks using life cycle assessment found that while reusable masks have lower total environmental impact over their lifetime, disposable masks shed microplastic fibers that could enter both environmental and human biological systems.
Cotton and Surgical Masks—What Ecological Factors Are Relevant for Their Sustainability?
This study assessed the ecological sustainability of cotton and surgical face masks in the context of high pandemic-driven demand, examining factors including raw material sourcing, manufacturing footprint, use, and end-of-life disposal. It found that mask type, reuse frequency, and disposal pathway strongly influence overall environmental impact.
Which strategy for using medical and community masks? A prospective analysis of their environmental impact
Comparing disposable medical masks to reusable community masks, this study found that a wait-and-reuse strategy with medical masks offered the best balance of environmental impact and protective effectiveness during the pandemic.
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.
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.
Life cycle environmental impacts of disposable medical masks
Researchers performed a life cycle assessment of disposable medical masks using industry inventory data, finding that the global warming potential per mask is 0.02 g CO₂-eq with raw material supply as the dominant contributor, and estimating that 52 billion masks used worldwide in 2020 generated approximately 1.1 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
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.
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.
Public face masks wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive analysis is needed for potential implications
This review weighed evidence on the effectiveness of face masks for preventing COVID-19 transmission against growing evidence that masks release microplastics and chemical contaminants when worn and degraded. The authors concluded that the public health benefits of mask use during the pandemic outweighed plastic exposure risks, but called for redesigned masks with lower MP release and better end-of-life management.
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.
Carbon Footprint of Surgical Masks Made in Taranto to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Diffusion: A Preliminary Assessment
This study calculated the carbon footprint of surgical masks manufactured in Italy during COVID-19, finding that textile production and disposal were the biggest emission contributors. Reusing masks through laundering had a lower environmental impact than single-use disposal despite water and detergent costs.
Reusable Personal Protective Equipment Viewed Through the Lens of Sustainability
This paper evaluates the sustainability impacts of single-use vs. reusable personal protective equipment, finding that polypropylene-based disposable masks generate microplastics as they degrade and have higher carbon footprints than reusable alternatives.
Carbon footprint of FFP2 protective facial masks against SARS-CoV-2 used in the food sector: effect of materials and dry sanitisation
Researchers assessed the carbon footprint of FFP2 protective face masks used in Italy's food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating how material choices and dry sanitisation strategies for mask reuse could reduce environmental impacts and support circular economy goals in the food service industry.
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.
Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Personal Protective Equipment Use by the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Lombardy (Northern Italy)
Researchers used life cycle assessment to quantify the environmental impacts of widespread PPE use by the general population of Lombardy, Italy during COVID-19, finding that increased single-use mask and glove consumption generated substantial plastic waste with significant end-of-life greenhouse gas emissions and plastic leakage risks.
The Life of a Face Mask: from Production to Use to Disposal
This review covers the full life cycle of face masks—from production through use to disposal—and their protective efficacy and environmental impact. The widespread use of single-use plastic masks during COVID-19 generated millions of tons of plastic waste that risks fragmenting into environmental microplastics.
Management of Used COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment: A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review
This bibliometric analysis documented the rapid growth of research on environmental impacts of COVID-19 PPE waste, finding that face masks are a major contributor to aquatic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while calling for ecodesign and producer responsibility systems.