The COVID-19 pandemic has increased
the worldwide production and
use of disposable plastic face masks (DPFMs). The release of micro-
and nanopollutants into the environment is one of the impacts derived
from regulated and unregulated disposal of DPFMs. This study focuses
on the emission of pollutants from medical-grade DPFMs when submerged
in deionized water, simulating regulated and unregulated disposal
of these masks. Three brands of FFP2 and three brands of Type IIR
medical masks, produced in various countries (UK, EU, and non-EU),
were investigated. Field emission gun scanning electron microscopy
(FEG-SEM) was used to obtain high-resolution images of the micro-
and nanoparticles, and 0.02 μm pore size inorganic membranes
were used to retain and subsequently analyze smaller particle size
nanoparticles (>20 nm) released from the DPFMs. Particles and fibers
in the micro- and nanoscale were found in all six DPFM brands. SEM
with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence
of particles containing different heavy metals like lead, mercury,
and arsenic. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis
confirmed the leaching of trace heavy metals to water (antimony up
to 2.41 μg/L and copper up to 4.68 μg/L). Liquid chromatography–mass
spectrometry analysis identified polar organic species related to
plastic additives and contaminants such as polyamide-66 monomers and
oligomers.
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