Disposable masks release microplastics to the aqueous environment with exacerbation by natural weathering.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has driven explosive growth in the use of masks has resulted in many issues related to the disposal and management of waste masks. As improperly disposed masks enter the ocean, the risk to the marine ecological system is further aggravated, especially in the shoreline environment. The objective of this study is to explore the changing characteristics and environmental behaviors of disposable masks when exposed to the shoreline environment. The transformation of chain structure and chemical composition of masks as well as the decreased mechanical strength of masks after UV weathering were observed. The melt-blown cloth in the middle layer of masks was found to be particularly sensitive to UV irradiation. A single weathered mask can release more than 1.5 million micropl

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8734940 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature