Time the Avenger
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Fate of face masks after being discarded into seawater: Aging and microbial colonization
…The increasing density of masks due to biofouling results in their sinking within 1 month in seawater, which is a crucial event that delivers the masks to different layers of the ocean and dramatically increases the polluted area. In addition, the biofilm formed by microbials on masks made them a niche plastisphere environment that could dramatically influence the microbial community and aging process of masks. With nutrients and marine organisms on their surfaces, masks could be eaten by mistake by marine animals such as fishes, birds, or even mammals like whales, which has already been reported in news and surveys.
...billions of used facemasks have been released into oceans.
…The results demonstrated that the masks in seawater aged significantly after 30-days exposure in seawater. Fouling organisms developed on mask surfaces and resulted in the negative buoyance of the masks. Masks could act as carriers of potential pathogenic bacteria in marine environment.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment
…The consumption of PPE in healthcare facilities and households pollutes the environment in the form of plastic waste and MP/MF contamination. In 2020 alone, approximately 1.5 billion masks were washed out into the seas, and the amount is equal to 200 tons of additional plastic waste, thus threatening the aquatic and terrestrial biota.
…Huge amounts of plastic waste from PPE have been produced worldwide due to improper disposal, landfilling, and incineration techniques, and they pollute aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, the amount of PPE waste reaching the marine environment increases and will even progress.
Nanoplastics and other harmful pollutants found in disposable face masks
…research reveals high levels of pollutants, including lead, antimony, and copper, within the silicon-based and plastic fibres of common disposable face masks.
…The findings reveal significant levels of pollutants in all the masks tested -- with micro/nano particles and heavy metals released into the water during all tests. Researchers conclude this will have a substantial environmental impact and, in addition, raise the question of the potential damage to public health -- warning that repeated exposure could be hazardous as the substances found have known links to cell death, genotoxicity and cancer formation.
