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. 2021 Nov 1:288:117748.
doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117748. Epub 2021 Jul 8.

Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation

Jie Ma  1 , Fengyuan Chen  2 , Huo Xu  2 , Hao Jiang  1 , Jingli Liu  1 , Ping Li  1 , Ciara Chun Chen  1 , Ke Pan  3
Affiliations

Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation

Jie Ma et al. Environ Pollut. .

Abstract

Billions of disposable face masks are consumed daily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of these masks as a source of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) in the environment has not been studied in previous studies. We quantified and characterized face mask released particles and evaluated their potential for accumulation in humans and marine organisms. More than one billion of NPs and MPs were released from each surgical or N95 face mask. These irregularly-shaped particles sized from c. 5 nm to c. 600 μm. But most of them were nano scale sized <1 μm. The middle layers of the masks had released more particles than the outer and inner layers. That MPs were detected in the nasal mucus of mask wearers suggests they can be inhaled while wearing a mask. Mask released particles also adsorbed onto diatom surfaces and were ingested by marine organisms of different trophic levels. This data is useful for assessing the health and environmental risks of face masks.

Keywords: COVID-19; Face mask; Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Personal protective equipment (PPE); Plastic pollution.

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