Face masks and the environment: Preventing the next plastic problem


Date:
March 10, 2021
Source:
University of Southern Denmark
Summary:
Every minute of the day we throw away 3 million face masks. Many
end up as potentially toxic micro- and nanoplastic or carriers
for other toxicants in the environment, researchers warn.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Recent studies estimate that we use an astounding 129 billion face masks globally every month -- that is 3 million a minute. Most of them are
disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers.


========================================================================== "With increasing reports on inappropriate disposal of masks, it is urgent
to recognize this potential environmental threat and prevent it from
becoming the next plastic problem," researchers warn in a comment in
the scientific journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering.

The researchers are Environmental Toxicologist Elvis Genbo Xu from
University of Southern Denmark and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Zhiyong Jason Ren from Princeton University.

No guidelines for mask recycling: Disposable masks are plastic products,
that cannot be readily biodegraded but may fragment into smaller plastic particles, namely micro- and nanoplastics that widespread in ecosystems.

The enormous production of disposable masks is on a similar scale as
plastic bottles, which is estimated to be 43 billion per month.



========================================================================== However, different from plastic bottles, (of which app. 25 pct. is
recycled), there is no official guidance on mask recycle, making it more
likely to be disposed of as solid waste, the researchers write.

Greater concern than plastic bags: If not disposed of for recycling, like
other plastic wastes, disposable masks can end up in the environment, freshwater systems, and oceans, where weathering can generate a large
number of micro-sized particles (smaller than 5 mm) during a relatively
short period (weeks) and further fragment into nanoplastics (smaller
than 1 micrometer).

"A newer and bigger concern is that the masks are directly made from
microsized plastic fibers (thickness of ~1 to 10 micrometers). When
breaking down in the environment, the mask may release more micro-sized plastics, easier and faster than bulk plastics like plastic bags,"
the researchers write, continuing: "Such impacts can be worsened by a new-generation mask, nanomasks, which directly use nano-sized plastic
fibers (with a diameter smaller than 1 micrometer) and add a new source
of nanoplastic pollution." The researchers stress that they do not know
how masks contribute to the large number of plastic particles detected
in the environment -- simply because no data on mask degradation in
nature exists.

"But we know that, like other plastic debris, disposable masks may also accumulate and release harmful chemical and biological substances, such as bisphenol A, heavy metals, as well as pathogenic micro-organisms. These
may pose indirect adverse impacts on plants, animals and humans," says
Elvis Genbo Xu.

What can we do? Elvis Genbo Xu and Zhiyong Jason Ren have the following suggestions for dealing with the problem:
1. Set up mask-only trash cans for collection and disposal 2. consider
standardization, guidelines, and strict implementation of waste
management for mask wastes
3. replace disposable masks with reusable face masks like cotton
masks 4. consider development of biodegradable disposal masks.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
University_of_Southern_Denmark. Original written by Birgitte
Svennevig. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Elvis Genbo Xu, Zhiyong Jason Ren. Preventing masks from becoming
the
next plastic problem. Frontiers of Environmental Science &
Engineering, 2021; 15 (6) DOI: 10.1007/s11783-021-1413-7 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210310122431.htm

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