A Review on Biodegradation Study of Disposable Face Masks

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) plays a vital role in the pollution of micro-plastic. Currently, the increase in the use of polypropylene-based face masks has been an issue in waste management. This scenario will someday cause big environmental problems if the wastes are improperly managed. Thus, this review is aimed at analyzing the waste contributed by face masks and studying the factors that help fasten the degradation of face masks. These findings were analyzed according to the degradation of the polypropylene-based face mask under a few headings. The results have been presented and fallen into respective categories, and it shows that polypropylene does undergo deterioration in the landfill burial under the dumping site soil. It has been confirmed that there was heavy colonization of microbial communities from the used face masks. Thus, it is recommended that more research need to be done further to test the microbial effects of polypropylene-based face masks. © 2022 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.