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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19
ClearUncovering 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Micro- and nano-particles release from disposable plastic face masks under simulated UV weathering
Disposable plastic face masks, widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, break down under UV exposure into a heterogeneous mix of microplastics and nanoplastics that can enter water, soil, and food chains. This study used state-of-the-art analytical tools to characterize the particles released, helping quantify masks as a significant novel source of environmental plastic pollution that emerged alongside the pandemic.
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.
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.
Significant Fragmentation of Disposable Surgical Masks—Enormous Source for Problematic Micro/Nanoplastics Pollution in the Environment
Researchers found that improperly discarded disposable surgical masks lose up to 30% of their mass within one month outdoors, releasing micro- and nanoplastic particles from all five mask components through photodegradation and leaching into aquatic environments.
An investigation into the leaching of micro and nano particles and chemical pollutants from disposable face masks - linked to the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers submerged seven disposable face mask brands in water to simulate environmental littering, detecting micro- and nanoscale plastic fibers, heavy metals including lead and cadmium, and plastic additive chemicals such as polyamide oligomers and surfactants leaching into the water — raising questions about both everyday safety and post-disposal pollution.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exploring the release mechanism of micro/nanoplastics from different layers of masks in water: towards reduction of plastic contamination in masks
Researchers performed release experiments on disposable face masks over 7 days in aquatic environments, finding no significant difference in microplastic release across layers but significantly higher nanoplastic release from the middle layer (25.9-81.3 x 10^10 particles/piece), with release kinetics following Elovich and power function equations and MPs in the 1-500 um range dominating.
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.
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.