Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the extensive use of face masks and protective personal equipment (PPE) kits has led to increasing degree of microplastic pollution (MP) because they are typically discarded into the seas, rivers, streets, and other parts of the environment. Currently, microplastic (MP) pollution has a negative impact on the environment because of high-level fragmentation. Typically, MP pollution can be detected by various techniques, such as microscopic analysis, density separation, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. However, there are limited studies on disposable face masks and PPE kits. A wide range of marine species ingest MPs in the form of fibers and fragments, which directly affect the environment and human health; thus, more research and development are needed on the effect of MP pollution on human health. This article provides a perspective on the origin and distribution of MP pollution in waterbodies (e.g., rivers, ponds, lakes, and seas) and wastewater treatment plants, and reviews the possible remediation of MP pollution related to the excessive disposal of face masks and PPE kits to aquatic environments.

Antimicrobial Biomaterial on Sutures, Bandages and Face Masks with Potential for Infection Control

“…These compounds exert antiviral and even anti-corona-virus activities [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Such properties enable their use in wound treatment on sutures, bandages and wound dressing materials, as well as surgical face masks [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Coating or incorporating phytochemicals into surgical face masks can reduce the demand during supply shortages.…”

“…Coating or incorporating phytochemicals into surgical face masks can reduce the demand during supply shortages. The re-use of face masks will alleviate and moderate stockpiles of dumped face masks as part of a waste management strategy [ 73 ]. Recycling mitigates the economic burden for the end user, as well as the production and waste disposal processes [ 73 ].…”

“…The re-use of face masks will alleviate and moderate stockpiles of dumped face masks as part of a waste management strategy [ 73 ]. Recycling mitigates the economic burden for the end user, as well as the production and waste disposal processes [ 73 ]. An increasing number of investigations on antimicrobial materials showcase different approaches for sustainable, re-usable or even biodegradable face masks [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ].…”

“…Recycling mitigates the economic burden for the end user, as well as the production and waste disposal processes [ 73 ]. An increasing number of investigations on antimicrobial materials showcase different approaches for sustainable, re-usable or even biodegradable face masks [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. Cinnamic acid and its derivatives are increasingly used to design novel antimicrobial biomaterials within polymeric matrices [ 80 , 81 , 82 ].…”

Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern

“…This constitutes a big problem related to health for different living beings, including humans and the environment as a whole [12]. Thus, some voices are claiming that the circular economy principle should guide policy making for the management of medical waste and, specifically, single-use face masks [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. A life cycle analysis of single-use and reusable face masks can be found in [20].…”