Release of phthalate esters (PAEs) and microplastics (MPs) from face masks and gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environ Res
; 215(Pt 2): 114337, 2022 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2031273
ABSTRACT
Marine pollution with personal protective equipment (PPE) has recently gained major attention. Multiple studies reported the release of microplastics (MPs) and chemical contaminants from face masks, the most used PPE type. However, not much is known concerning the release of phthalate esters (PAEs) in aquatic media, as well as the hazard posed by other types of PPE. In the present study, we investigated the release of MPs and PAEs from face masks and gloves recovered from the environment. The results indicated that both PPEs release MPs comparable to the literature, but higher concentrations were presented by face masks. In turn, the total concentration of six PAEs was higher in gloves than in face masks. The release of these contaminants is exacerbated over time. The present study allows researchers to understand the contribution of PPE to marine pollution while accounting for gloves, a generally overlooked source of contaminants.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Phthalic Acids
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Environ Res
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.envres.2022.114337
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