Facemask Global Challenges: The Case of Effective Synthesis, Utilization, and Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a rapidly spreading pandemic and is severely threatening public health globally. The human-to-human transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is now well established. The reported clinical observations and symptoms of this infection in humans appear in the range between being asymptomatic and severe pneumonia. The virus can be transmitted through aerosols and droplets that are released into the air by a carrier, especially when the person coughs, sneezes, or talks forcefully in a closed environment. As the disease progresses, the use and handling of contaminated personal protective equipment and facemasks have become major issues with significant environmental risks. Therefore, providing an effective method for treating used/contaminated facemasks is crucial. In this paper, we review the environmental challenges and risks associated with the surge in facemask production. We also discuss facemasks and their materials as sources of microplastics and how disposal procedures can potentially lead to the contamination of water resources. We herein review the potential of developing nanomaterial-based antiviral and self-cleaning facemasks. This review discusses these challenges and concludes that the use of sustainable and alternative facemask materials is a promising and viable solution. In this context, it has become essential to address the emerging challenges by developing a new class of facemasks that are effective against the virus, while being biodegradable and sustainable. This paper represents the potentials of natural and/or biodegradable polymers for manufacturing facemasks, such as wood-based polymers, chitosan, and other biodegradable synthetic polymers for achieving sustainability goals during and after pandemics.

WITHDRAWN: A review of the role of graphene-based nanomaterials in tackling challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The application of hydrophobic graphene into PPE against SARS-CoV-2 can be seen in Figure 10 . The graphene derivatives can also destruct the SARS-CoV-2 membrane by the adsorption of charged lipids [125] . The researchers believed that under the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) visualization of the graphene and GO functionalization on both cotton and polyurethane materials, these materials are highly applicable PPE materials.…”

Uncertainty analysis of facemasks in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission

“…However, as one of the non-pharmaceutical measures of mitigating the spread of SARS- CoV-2, mandating public or community use of face masks or covers in are hotly contested. Firstly, a substantial volume of different-type masks has been disposed as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, which currently signifies a major source of environmental pollution ( Ali et al, 2022 ; Shirvanimoghaddam et al, 2022 ). Secondly and more importantly, how well the face masks work to cut down the transmission of respiratory diseases to mask wearers is still being defined and debated ( Peeples, 2020 ).…”

How long and effective does a mask protect you from an infected person who emits virus-laden particles: By implementing one-dimensional physics-based modeling

“…Additionally, different experimental setups have been designed to mimic sneezing or coughing and to investigate their effect on filtration efficiency (12-15). As a result of the immense use of one-time used facemasks and their impact on the environment (16,17), several studies were conducted for alternative materials to reuse the mask (17,18) or materials whose degradation is environmentally friendly (19,20). Experimental filtration efficiency tests give a good indication to evaluate and compare the performance of different mask types.…”