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Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ray, Saikat Sinha; Lee, Hyung Kae; Huyen, Dao Thi Thanh; Chen, Shiao-Shing; Kwon, Young-Nam.
  • Ray SS; Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea.
  • Lee HK; Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea.
  • Huyen DTT; Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea.
  • Chen SS; Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan.
  • Kwon YN; Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea.
Environ Technol Innov ; 26: 102290, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1616491
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the extensive use of face masks and protective personal equipment (PPE) kits has led to increasing degree of microplastic pollution (MP) because they are typically discarded into the seas, rivers, streets, and other parts of the environment. Currently, microplastic (MP) pollution has a negative impact on the environment because of high-level fragmentation. Typically, MP pollution can be detected by various techniques, such as microscopic analysis, density separation, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. However, there are limited studies on disposable face masks and PPE kits. A wide range of marine species ingest MPs in the form of fibers and fragments, which directly affect the environment and human health; thus, more research and development are needed on the effect of MP pollution on human health. This article provides a perspective on the origin and distribution of MP pollution in waterbodies (e.g., rivers, ponds, lakes, and seas) and wastewater treatment plants, and reviews the possible remediation of MP pollution related to the excessive disposal of face masks and PPE kits to aquatic environments.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Language: English Journal: Environ Technol Innov Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.eti.2022.102290

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Language: English Journal: Environ Technol Innov Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.eti.2022.102290