Evaluation of fiber and debris release from protective COVID-19 mask textiles and in vitro acute cytotoxicity effects

Meier, Philipp; Zabara, Mahsa; Hirsch, Cordula; Gogos, Alexander; Tscherrig, Dominic; Richner, Gilles; Nowack, Bernd; Wick, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107364

Cited by 6 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…But, according to the study results at hand, there exists also a significant direct immediate inhalation risk for the user, from the mask breathing zone into the airways [12,32,59,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70], as already assumed by other papers [13,26,88,89]. The fact that MPs were also detected in the nasal mucus shortly after mask wearing [31,32] gives evidence that MPs can be directly inhaled while wearing a mask.…”

Section: Mp and Np From Masks -Release And Intakementioning

confidence: 55%

“…Ten of the papers measured a microplastic (MP) release by face masks [12,32,59,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70], representing 42% of the included papers. Also a nanoplastic (NP) release was documented by three of the included studies [32,65,70].…”

Section: Analysed Substance Classesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One study evaluated the perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from masks and additionally did an exposure estimation [9]. Seven studies investigated trace elements and heavy metals, five predominantly release [65,[68][69][70][71] and two the content [76,77] in face masks.…”

Section: Analysed Substance Classesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MP and NP from Masks -Origin Synthetic macromolecules with repeating units (plastic polymers) are the primary component of all types of face masks [13]. This fact is responsible for the mask being a significant source of plastic fiber and particle release [12,32,59,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70]. Therefore, the mass consumption of face masks has generated a huge additional source of microplastics (MPs <5mm) or even nanoplastics (NPs <1µm) pollution [78][79][80][81][82].…”

Section: Microfibers Micro-and Nanoplastics (Mps and Nps)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

Kisielinski¹,

Hockertz²,

Hirsch³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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From 2020 to 2023 many people around the world were forced to wear masks for large proportions of the day based on mandates and laws. We aimed to study the potential of face masks for the content and release of inanimate toxins. A scoping review of 1003 studies was performed (database search in PubMed/MEDLINE, qualitative and quantitative evaluation). Twenty-four studies were included (experimental time 17 min to 15 days) evaluating content and/or release in 631 masks (273 surgical, 228 textile and 130 N95 masks). Most studies (63%) showed alarming results with high micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) release and exceedances could also be evidenced for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), xylene, acrolein, per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates (including di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, DEHP) and for Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Sb and TiO2. Of course, masks filter bacteria, dirt and plastic particles and fibers from the air we breathe and have specific indications, but according to our data they also carry risks. Depending on the application, a risk-benefit analysis is necessary. However, mask mandates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been generating an additional source of potentially harmful exposition to toxins at population level with almost zero distance to the airways.

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Section: Mp and Np From Masks -Release And Intakementioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Analysed Substance Classesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Analysed Substance Classesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Microfibers Micro-and Nanoplastics (Mps and Nps)mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

Kisielinski¹,

Hockertz²,

Hirsch³

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…A study by Turkmen ( 2022 ) examined the potential of the masks to impact the terrestrial environment and estimated the amount of dichlorobenzene and heavy metals (chromium, mercury, and vanadium) that could potentially be released into the soil. Other studies by Ma et al ( 2021 ), Chen et al ( 2021 ), and Meier et al ( 2022 ) demonstrated the release of nanoplastics and microplastics from face masks, while Ma et al ( 2021 ) further reported that the plastic particles adsorbed on diatom surfaces and were ingested by marine organisms. The current study investigated how presence of face masks may affect soil bacteria and macrofauna species in terms of diversity and population, which may consequently affect soil ecosystem functioning and services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

COVID-19 face masks attracted Cellulomonas and Acinetobacter bacteria and provided breeding haven for red cotton bug (Dysdercus suturellus) and house cricket (Acheta domesticus)

Idowu

Olalemi

Ileke

2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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This study investigated the possibility of COVID-19 medical face masks to affect bacterial and macrofaunal communities in open soil environment. An estimated 1.24 trillion of face masks have been used and discarded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant part of this ending up in the soil environment, where they degrade gradually over time. Because bacteria and macrofauna are sensitive indicators of changes in soil ecosystem, we investigated possible impacts of face masks on population, distribution, and diversity of these soil species. Effect on soil bacterial community was studied by both culture-based and advanced molecular (metagenomics) approach, while impact on macrofauna was investigated by examining monoliths around heap of masks for soil insects. In both cases, control soil experiments without face masks were also set up and monitored over a period of 48 weeks. The study found that the presence of face masks led to a more diverse bacterial community, although no influence on overall bacterial population was evidenced. More importantly, bacteria belonging to the genera Cellulomonas and Acinetobacter were found prominently around face masks and are believed to be involved in biodegradation of the masks. The bacterial community around the masks was dominated by Proteobacteria (29.7–38.7%), but the diversity of species increased gradually with time. Tiny black ants ( Monomorium invidium ) were attracted to the face masks to take advantage of water retained by the masks during the period of little rainfall. The heaps of face masks also provided shelter and breeding “haven” for soil insects, notably the red cotton bug ( Dysdercus suturellus ) and house cricket ( Acheta domesticus ), thereby impacting positively on the population of insect species in the environment. This study provides insights into the actual impacts of face masks on soil organisms under normal outdoor environmental conditions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-23865-1.

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The effect of the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic on the use of personal protective equipment in hospitals

Ivanović

Gräbsch

Som

et al. 2023

J Mater Cycles Waste Manag

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The Covid pandemic has strongly affected the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the medical sector. Our aim was to assess the influence of Covid on PPE use within a German hospital by analyzing PPE use in four years prior to Covid and in 2020/2021. Numbers of items and mass of different types of PPE were determined based on procurement data. The results show that for the use of gloves the pandemic only had a small effect on the number of items. For body protection there was a clear trend toward a decrease in the number of items used in the years before the pandemic due to actions by the hospital toward a better environmental footprint which was partially reversed by the pandemic. The number of masks on the other hand doubled during the pandemic. Expressed in mass of PPE per patient and day, 15 g of masks, 121 g of gloves, and 183 g of body protection are used, resulting in a total of 319 g of PPE per patient and day. As medical waste has a specific treatment, no direct environmental effects of PPE use in hospitals in a region with well-developed waste treatment system are expected.

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Evaluation of fiber and debris release from protective COVID-19 mask textiles and in vitro acute cytotoxicity effects

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

COVID-19 face masks attracted Cellulomonas and Acinetobacter bacteria and provided breeding haven for red cotton bug (Dysdercus suturellus) and house cricket (Acheta domesticus)

The effect of the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic on the use of personal protective equipment in hospitals

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