Study of Short-Term Effects on the Soil of Disposable Protective Face Masks Used in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The paper analyzes the impact of personal protective equipment used by the population as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment. The scale of the additional amount of waste generated as a result of the use of protective face masks, etc. is noted. The globality of the existing problem and its multiparametric impact on the components of the environment are indicated. The short-term effect of a number of disposable protective face masks on the condition of soil by chemical component has been studied. The dependence of leaching of heavy metals from masks on soil acidity was experimentally analyzed, the dynamics of mobile phosphorus and potassium in soil samples was studied. It is shown that the presence of masks in the soil leads to exceeding the standard for zinc content, while for copper content and manganese content exceeding the standard is not observed in the study period, for lead there are fluctuations in content beyond standard value. The need for long-term research on the impact of face masks on the environment, and in particular soils, was noted.

Study of the features of determination of heavy metals in bottom sediments

“…One of the factors that is difficult to control, but which affects the environment, is emergency situations [8]. Various negative impacts are caused by fires, industrial accidents, epidemics, etc [9][10][11][12][13]. The unprovoked aggression of Russia in 2022 led to largescale hostilities on the territory of Ukraine and enormous pollution of its territory [14,15].…”

Protective Disposable Face Masks Used During the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Source of Pollutants in the Aquatic Environment – A Study of Short-Term Effects

“…al., 2022] for 24 surgical and KN95 face masks showed the direct presence of lead, copper, zinc, and antimony in some of them which can be washed away. The authors [Leonova et. al., 2022] indicate the excess of zinc and lead in the soil in the presence of protective disposable face masks and emphasize the need for further research.…”