Disposable facemask waste combustion emits neuroactive smoke particulate matter

Abstract

Tremendous deposits of disposable medical facemask waste after the COVID-19 pandemic require improvement of waste management practice according to WHO report 2022, moreover facemasks are still in use around the world to protect against numerous airborne infections. Here, water-suspended smoke preparations from the combustion of disposable medical facemasks (polypropylene fibers) were collected; size, zeta potential, surface groups of smoke particulate matter were determined by dynamic light scattering, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and their optical properties were characterized. Neurochemical study using nerve terminals isolated from rat cortex revealed a significant decrease in the initial rate of the uptake/accumulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, L-[14C]glutamate and [3H]GABA, and exocytotic release, and also an increase in the extracellular level of these neurotransmitters. Fluorescent measurements revealed that ROS generation induced by hydrogen peroxide and glutamate receptor agonist kainate decreased in nerve terminals. A decrease in the membrane potential of nerve terminals and isolated neurons, the mitochondrial potential and synaptic vesicle acidification was also shown. Therefore, accidental or intentional utilization of disposable medical facemask waste by combustion results in the release of neuroactive ultrafine particulate matter to the environment, thereby contributing to plastic-associated pollution of air and water resources and neuropathology development and expansion.

ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE NEUROTOXICITY OF NITROGEN-DOPED MULTILAYER GRAPHENE NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR CAPABILITY TO CHANGE Cd2+/Pb2+/Hg2+-INDUCED INJURY IN BRAIN CORTEX NERVE TERMINALS

“…Therefore, N-MLG can be applied in different technologies, including neurotechnologies and waste water treatment, because N-MLG did not possess neurotoxic signs and is biocompatible within this concentration range and it is safe when become environmental pollution component. Among other carbonbased nanoparticles that we have investigated regarding changes in the extracellular levels of L-[ 14 C] glutamate and [ 3 H]GABA in nerve terminals, N-MLG was less neurotoxic as compared to carbon dots [40], nanodiamonds [35], fullerene C 60 [41], plastic and wood smoke particulate matter [21,22,42]. In this contex, N-MLG is more promising for neurotechnologies then other carbon nanoparticles because of absence of neurotoxic signs and its neurocompatibility.…”