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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks are becoming new sources of fiber microplastic pollution during global COVID-19
ClearWet wipes contribution to microfiber contamination under COVID-19 era: An important but overlooked problem
Researchers highlight that the surge in wet wipe use during COVID-19 — for disinfection and medical purposes — has become an overlooked but significant source of microfiber pollution, with wipes already turning up in marine plastic litter surveys. They call for dedicated studies on how different wipe materials shed fibers and degrade under environmental conditions to fully account for pandemic-related plastic pollution.
Covid-19 face masks: A potential source of microplastic fibers in the environment
This commentary highlights that the massive global increase in disposable face mask production during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant new source of microplastic fiber pollution, as mask materials shed synthetic fibers into the environment.
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.
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.
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.
Facemasks: A Looming Microplastic Crisis
Single-use disposable face masks were shown to shed microplastic fibers during use and degradation, with billions of masks improperly discarded globally during the COVID-19 pandemic entering aquatic environments and releasing polypropylene and polyurethane fibers, adding a new and large-scale source of microplastic contamination.
Surgical face masks as a potential source for microplastic pollution in the COVID-19 scenario
Researchers investigated how disposable surgical face masks, widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, could become a significant new source of microplastic pollution. The study notes that masks made of polymeric materials can release microplastic fibers into aquatic environments where they may be ingested by fish and other organisms. The findings suggest that face mask waste deserves focused attention as a microplastic source, including better waste management systems.
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.
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.
Microfiber releasing into urban rivers from face masks during COVID-19
Researchers investigated microfiber release from discarded face masks in urban rivers during COVID-19, finding that masks shed substantial quantities of synthetic microfibers that contribute to freshwater microplastic contamination.
Waterborne and Airborne Microfibers Shed from Non-Woven Materials in Water and Air Environments
Researchers measured microfibers shed from disposable nonwoven products — including wipes, diapers, and masks — in both water and air environments. Nonwoven products release substantial numbers of synthetic microfibers into both aquatic and atmospheric pathways, representing an underappreciated source of fiber pollution.
The COVID-19 pandemic face mask waste: A blooming threat to the marine environment.
This review examines how single-use face masks — billions of which were discarded during the COVID-19 pandemic — contribute to microplastic and microfiber pollution in marine environments when improperly disposed of. The pandemic created a massive new source of plastic pollution, with masks breaking down into microplastics and releasing chemical contaminants in the ocean.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment
This review examines how discarded personal protective equipment from the COVID-19 pandemic has become a new source of microplastic and microfiber pollution. Researchers found that single-use masks, gloves, and other PPE break down into tiny plastic particles that contaminate water, soil, and air. The study highlights the environmental trade-off of pandemic safety measures and calls for better waste management strategies for healthcare materials.
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.
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.
Masks and the scourge of microplastic pollution
This commentary discusses how the widespread use of disposable face masks during COVID-19 has become a significant source of microplastic pollution, particularly from masks improperly discarded outside of hospital settings. The authors call attention to the environmental burden of mask litter as a growing global concern.
The role of wet wipes and sanitary towels as a source of white microplastic fibres in the marine environment
White microplastic fibers found near a wastewater outfall were chemically matched to fibers from commercially available wet wipes and sanitary towels, many of which are made from polyester and polypropylene rather than natural materials. The study identifies these flushed personal hygiene products as a direct source of white synthetic fibers in coastal marine sediments.
Used disposable face masks are significant sources of microplastics to environment
Researchers evaluated whether disposable face masks release microplastics into water and found that used masks released significantly more particles than new ones, increasing from about 183 particles per piece for new masks to much higher levels after use. The study suggests that the massive increase in disposable mask consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic has made improperly discarded masks a significant new source of microplastic pollution.
Impact of microfiber pollution on aquatic biota: A critical analysis of effects and preventive measures
This review examines how microfibers from textiles, face masks, and other personal protective equipment are polluting aquatic environments, a problem worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Microfibers enter waterways through washing machines and waste treatment plants, where they can be ingested by aquatic organisms. The authors highlight the urgent need for better filtration technologies and waste management to reduce microfiber contamination in oceans and freshwater systems.
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/nanoplastics released from facemasks as contaminants of emerging concern
This review examines how disposable facemasks, made primarily from polypropylene and polyethylene, release microplastics and nanoplastics into the environment. Chemical, physical, and biological processes break down discarded masks into tiny plastic particles that persist in ecosystems. Given the billions of masks used during COVID-19, this represents a significant and growing source of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics and other emerging contaminants in the environment after COVID-19 pandemic: The need of global reconnaissance studies
This review examines how COVID-19 pandemic waste, including disposable masks, gloves, and disinfectants, has increased microplastic and chemical contamination in the environment. These contaminants enter waterways through improper disposal, wastewater plants, and surface runoff. The study calls for global monitoring to understand the full impact of pandemic-related pollution on ecosystems and human health.
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.
Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic
This review examined how the massive increase in disposable face masks and PPE kits during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to microplastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Researchers found that these items break down into microplastic fibers and fragments that are ingested by marine species and can affect both environmental and human health. The study calls for more research on the specific microplastic risks from pandemic-related protective equipment.