Face Mask: As a Source or Protector of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Phthalate Plasticizers?
Toxics
; 11(2)2023 Jan 17.
Artigo
em Inglês
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2253695
ABSTRACT
Wearing masks has become the norm during the Coronavirus disease pandemic. Masks can reportedly interface with air pollutants and release microplastics and plastic additives such as phthalates. In this study, an experimental device was set up to simulate the impact of five kinds of masks (activated-carbon, N95, surgical, cotton, and fashion masks) on the risk of humans inhaling microplastics and phthalates during wearing. The residual concentrations of seven major phthalates ranged from 296 to 72,049 ng/g (median 1242 ng/g), with the lowest and the highest concentrations detected in surgical (median 367 ng/g) and fashion masks (median 37,386 ng/g), respectively. During the whole inhalation simulation process, fragmented and 20-100 µm microplastics accounted for the largest, with a rapid release during the first six hours. After one day's wearing, that of 6 h, while wearing different masks, 25-135 and 65-298 microplastics were inhaled indoors and outdoors, respectively. The total estimated daily intake of phthalates with indoor and outdoor conditions by inhalation and skin exposure ranged from 1.2 to 13 and 0.43 to 14 ng/kg bw/d, respectively. Overall, surgical masks yield a protective effect, while cotton and fashion masks increase human exposure to microplastics and phthalates both indoors and outdoors compared to no mask wearing. This study observed possible risks from common facemasks and provided suggestions to consumers for selecting suitable masks to reduce exposure risks from microplastics and phthalate acid.
Texto completo:
Disponível
Coleções:
Bases de dados internacionais
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Estudo prognóstico
Idioma:
Inglês
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
País de afiliação:
Toxics11020087
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