Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation.
Environ Pollut
; 288: 117748, 2021 Nov 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1300762
ABSTRACT
Billions of disposable face masks are consumed daily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of these masks as a source of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) in the environment has not been studied in previous studies. We quantified and characterized face mask released particles and evaluated their potential for accumulation in humans and marine organisms. More than one billion of NPs and MPs were released from each surgical or N95 face mask. These irregularly-shaped particles sized from c. 5 nm to c. 600 µm. But most of them were nano scale sized <1 µm. The middle layers of the masks had released more particles than the outer and inner layers. That MPs were detected in the nasal mucus of mask wearers suggests they can be inhaled while wearing a mask. Mask released particles also adsorbed onto diatom surfaces and were ingested by marine organisms of different trophic levels. This data is useful for assessing the health and environmental risks of face masks.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Microplastics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Environ Pollut
Journal subject:
Environmental Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.envpol.2021.117748
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