Post COVID-19 pandemic: Biofragmentation and soil ecotoxicological effects of microplastics derived from face masks

Kwak, Jin Il; An, Youn‐Joo

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126169

Cited by 145 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Currently, there is only one very recent ecotoxicity study available on the polypropylene microplastics from medical masks [ 48 ]. The authors report the effect of microplastics obtained from FFP2 medical mask on springtails Folsomia candida and earthworms Eisenia andrei .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks: acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposable plastics, including medical masks, which have become a necessity in our daily lives. As these are often improperly disposed of, they represent an important potential source of microplastics in the environment. We prepared microplastics from polypropylene medical masks and characterised their size, shape, organic chemical leaching, and acute toxicity to the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna. The three layers of the masks were separately milled and characterised. Each of the inner frontal, middle filtering, and outer layers yielded different types of microplastics: fibres were obtained from the inner and outer layer, but irregular fragments from the middle layer. The shape of the obtained microplastics differed from the initial fibrous structure of the intact medical mask layers, which indicates that the material is deformed during cryo-milling. The chemical compositions of plastics-associated chemicals also varied between the different layers. Typically, the inner layer contained more chemicals related to antimicrobial function and flavouring. The other two layers also contained antioxidants and their degradation products, plasticisers, cross-linking agents, antistatic agents, lubricants, and non-ionic surfactants. An acute study with D. magna showed that these microplastics do not cause immobility but do physically interact with the daphnids. Further long-term studies with these microplastics are needed using a suite of test organisms. Indeed, studies with other polypropylene microplastics have shown numerous adverse effects on other organisms at concentrations that have already been reported in the environment. Further efforts should be made to investigate the environmental hazards of polypropylene microplastics from medical masks and how to handle this new source of environmental burden.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks: acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Most importantly, early observations of face masks pollution suggest that, due to the structural characteristics of the polypropylene (PP)-based material, the layers of most surgical face masks are prone to release microfibers ( Aragaw, 2020 , Fadare and Okoffo, 2020 ). Several studies have demonstrated the leaching of secondary micro/nanoplastics (MPs/PNPs) from face masks ( Il Kwak and An, 2021 ). Depending on several factors, the release of MPs (< 5 mm) has been estimated to reach about 2230 MPs per mask, and more than 2.43 × 10 9 PNPs (<1 µm) per mask ( Ma et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Binational survey of personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environments: Abundance, distribution, and analytical characterization

De-la-Torre

Dioses-Salinas

Pizarro-Ortega

et al. 2022

Journal of Hazardous Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the present contribution, two nationwide surveys of personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution were conducted in Peru and Argentina aiming to provide valuable information regarding the abundance and distribution of PPE in coastal sites. Additionally, PPE items were recovered from the environment and analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and compared to brand-new PPE in order to investigate the chemical and structural degradation of PPE in the environment. PPE density (PPE m −2 ) found in both countries were comparable to previous studies. FTIR analysis revealed multiple polymer types comprising common PPE, mainly polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyester. SEM micrographs showed clear weathering signs, such as cracks, cavities, and rough surfaces in face masks and gloves. EDX elemental mapping revealed the presence of elemental additives, such as Ca in gloves and face masks and AgNPs as an antimicrobial agent. Other metals found on the surface of PPE were Mo, P, Ti, and Zn. XRD patterns displayed a notorious decrease in the crystallinity of polypropylene face masks, which could alter its interaction with external contaminants and stability. The next steps in this line of research were discussed.

show abstract

“…The only available data suggests that disposable face masks (as individual layers or as a blend) can easily decompose in natural topsoils (75% of the water holding capacity, 25°C), with a mean residence time of 2 to 3 days, releasing approximately 3 to 5% of the total mask carbon as CO 2 ( Knicker and Velasco-Molina, 2021 ). In addition, the release of polypropylene microfibres resultant from the mechanical fragmentation of disposable face masks (1 g/kg soil) decreased reproduction and growth of springtails (Folsomia candida) by 48% and 92%, respectively ( Kwak and An, 2021 ). In earthworms (Eisenia andrei), acute exposure to such microfibres decreased esterases activity by 62% (enzymes actively involved in the resistance of several contaminants such as insecticides ( Montella et al, 2012 ) and spermatogenesis (vital for earthworms reproduction) ( Kwak and An, 2021 ).…”

Section: Negative Effects Of Covid-19 Pandemic On the Environment – An Intimidating Journeymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the release of polypropylene microfibres resultant from the mechanical fragmentation of disposable face masks (1 g/kg soil) decreased reproduction and growth of springtails (Folsomia candida) by 48% and 92%, respectively ( Kwak and An, 2021 ). In earthworms (Eisenia andrei), acute exposure to such microfibres decreased esterases activity by 62% (enzymes actively involved in the resistance of several contaminants such as insecticides ( Montella et al, 2012 ) and spermatogenesis (vital for earthworms reproduction) ( Kwak and An, 2021 ). The effects observed could result from the physical damage caused by microfibres, as ingestion was observed for both macroinvertebrates; and/or due to the chemical toxicity induced by PPE leachates.…”

Section: Negative Effects Of Covid-19 Pandemic On the Environment – An Intimidating Journeymentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic on environmental compartments: Is plastic pollution a major issue?

Silva

Tubić

Vujić

et al. 2022

Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 anthropause has impacted human activities and behaviour, resulting in substantial environmental and ecological changes. It has assisted in restoring the ecological systems by improving, for instance, air and water quality and decreasing the anthropogenic pressure on wildlife and natural environments. Notwithstanding, such improvements recessed back, even to a greater extent, when considering increased medical waste, hazardous disinfectants and other chemical compounds, and plastic waste disposal or mismanagement. This work critically reviews the short- and long-term implications of measures against COVID-19 spreading, namely on human activities and different environmental compartments. Furthermore, this paper highlights strategies towards environmental restoration, as the recovery of the lost environment during COVID-19 lockdown suggests that the environmental degradation caused by humans can be reversible. Thus, we can no longer delay concerted international actions to address biodiversity, sustainable development, and health emergencies to ensure environmental resilience and equitable recovery.

show abstract

Post COVID-19 pandemic: Biofragmentation and soil ecotoxicological effects of microplastics derived from face masks

Cited by 145 publications

References 34 publications

Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks: acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics

Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks: acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics

Binational survey of personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environments: Abundance, distribution, and analytical characterization

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic on environmental compartments: Is plastic pollution a major issue?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About