Toxicity testing of nonwovens used for production of respiratory protective equipment.
Cent Eur J Public Health
; 31(1): 74-80, 2023 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2298233
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
During the covid-19 pandemic, protective equipment such as respirators and masks were widely used to protect respiratory tract. This disposable protective equipment is usually made from plastic fibre-based nonwoven fabrics. If used masks and respirators are improperly discarded, they pollute the environment by becoming a source of micro and nanoplastics. The aim of the study was to find out how stable the materials of protective equipment are and how released nano and microplastics can affect aquatic and soil organisms. MATERIALS The input materials used to produce respirators and masks were tested for their thermal stability and resistance to the release of plastic particles into the environment. To determine the thermal stability of the materials, a simultaneous thermal analysis - thermogravimetry (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed.RESULTS:
Materials of masks and respirators are stable at temperatures common to temperate climate zone. However, the possible effects of chemical reactions of the materials with the environment were not considered during the measurement. The materials were also subjected to ecotoxicity tests according to European standards.CONCLUSION:
While the leachate obtained by shaking the materials in water did not show acute toxicity to the selected aquatic organisms, the material itself had a significant effect on selected soil organisms (springtails).Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Protective Devices
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Cent Eur J Public Health
Journal subject:
Epidemiology
/
Public Health
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Cejph.a7429
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