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Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19.
Morgana, Silvia; Casentini, Barbara; Amalfitano, Stefano.
  • Morgana S; Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (IAS-CNR), Via della Vasca Navale, 00146 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: silvia.morgana@ias.cnr.it.
  • Casentini B; Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy.
  • Amalfitano S; Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy.
J Hazard Mater ; 419: 126507, 2021 10 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1284212
ABSTRACT
Wearing face masks is a fundamental prevention and control measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. The universal use and improper disposal of single-use face masks are raising serious concerns for their environmental impact, owing to the foregone contribution to plastic water pollution during and beyond the pandemic. This study aims to uncover the release of micro/nanoplastics generated from face mask nonwoven textiles once discarded in the aquatic environment. As assessed by microscopy and flow cytometry, the exposure to different levels of mechanical stress forces (from low to high shear stress intensities) was proved effective in breaking and fragmenting face mask fabrics into smaller debris, including macro-, micro-, and nano-plastics. Even at the low level of fabric deterioration following the first second of treatment, a single mask could release in water thousands of microplastic fibers and up to 108 submicrometric particles, mostly comprised in the nano-sized domain. By contributing to the current lack of knowledge regarding the potential environmental hazards posed by universal face masking, we provided novel quantitative data, through a suitable technological approach, on the release of micro/nanoplastics from single-use face masks that can threaten the aquatic ecosystems to which they finally end-up.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Masks Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Hazard Mater Journal subject: Environmental Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Masks Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Hazard Mater Journal subject: Environmental Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article