The release process of microfibers: from surgical face masks into the marine environment

Saliu, Francesco; Veronelli, M.; Raguso, Clarissa; Barana, Davide; Galli, Paolo; Lasagni, Marina

doi:10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100042

Cited by 201 publications

(163 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…At the lowest mechanical stress (i.e., 1.6 kJ/L, comparable to wind energy on a moderately windy day or slow tidal movement, Layton et al 2008), a single triple layered-face mask is estimated to generate 2.6 ± 0.7 × 10 3 microfibers (> 100 µm) with an average length of 1.7 ± 0.4 mm. In line with our findings despite the different experimental configurations, recent studies reported thousands of microfibers/mask released in water, mostly ranging between 0.1 mm and 1 mm ( Chen et al, 2021 , Saliu et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…An increasing number of studies are pointing to face masks as an emerging source of plastic pollution that will shortly add-up to the already critical situation ( Patrício Silva et al, 2021 , Prata et al, 2021 ). First evidences of microplastic release from face masks are provided in the recent literature ( Chen et al, 2021 , Saliu et al, 2021 ), also detecting microfibers associated with chemical contaminants ( Sullivan et al, 2021 ) and raising concern for their potential inhalation and ingestion risks ( Li et al, 2021 ). However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the face mask contribution to micro/nanoplastic generation, given that microfibers can be fragmented into thousands of nano-sized particles, more persistent and difficult to be detected ( Henry et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19

Morgana¹,

Casentini

Amalfitano

2021

Journal of Hazardous Materials

141

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Wearing face masks is a fundamental prevention and control measure to limit the spread of COVID-19. The universal use and improper disposal of single-use face masks are raising serious concerns for their environmental impact, owing to the foregone contribution to plastic water pollution during and beyond the pandemic. This study aims to uncover the release of micro/nanoplastics generated from face mask nonwoven textiles once discarded in the aquatic environment. As assessed by microscopy and flow cytometry, the exposure to different levels of mechanical stress forces (from low to high shear stress intensities) was proved effective in breaking and fragmenting face mask fabrics into smaller debris, including macro-, micro-, and nano-plastics. Even at the low level of fabric deterioration following the first second of treatment, a single mask could release in water thousands of microplastic fibers and up to 10 8 submicrometric particles, mostly comprised in the nano-sized domain. By contributing to the current lack of knowledge regarding the potential environmental hazards posed by universal face masking, we provided novel quantitative data, through a suitable technological approach, on the release of micro/nanoplastics from single-use face masks that can threaten the aquatic ecosystems to which they finally end-up.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19

Morgana¹,

Casentini

Amalfitano

2021

Journal of Hazardous Materials

141

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“…Results indicated that one tested mask submitted to 180 h UV-light irradiation and vigorous stirring in artificial seawater could release up to 173,000 fibres/day. Authors also observed similar morphological and chemical degradation signature in surgical masks collected on Italian beaches (via SEM and micro-FTIR analysis), highlighting that similar processes could be happening in the natural marine environment ( Saliu et al, 2021 ). Wang et al (2021) estimated the release of microfibres from surgical masks also into the marine environment, now in the presence of UV light and sediments.…”

Section: Potential Ecotoxicological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 72%

“… Sullivan et al (2021) evaluated the emission of micro- and nano-plastics from 7 disposable face masks brands in aquatic compartments and hazardous contaminants leachates analysis. Using advanced techniques (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis, Liquid chromatography / Inductively coupled plasma –mass spectrometry), the authors reported the release of micro and nano polymeric fibres (as also observed by Saliu et al, 2021 ; just characterized by size by SEM, not counted), siliceous fragments, and other irregularly-shaped plastic particles; but also leachable inorganic and organic substances, such as metals (up to 6.79 μg lead/L; 1.92 μg cadmium/L, 393 μg antimony/L, 4.17 μg copper/L) and polar organic species related to plastic additives, surfactant molecules, dye-like molecules, polyamide-66 monomer and oligomers (nylon-66 synthesis), and polyethylene glycol ( Sullivan et al, 2021 ). Anatopoulos and Anastopoulos and Pashalidis (2021) also underline the role of microplastics released from disposable face masks as dye carriers.…”

Section: Potential Ecotoxicological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“… Saliu et al (2021) , Sullivan et al (2021) , and Wang et al (2021) provided the first evidence on microfibers and micro and nanoplastics released from disposable face masks. Saliu et al (2021) estimated the release of microfibres from surgical face masks into the marine environment, under the effect of UV light. Results indicated that one tested mask submitted to 180 h UV-light irradiation and vigorous stirring in artificial seawater could release up to 173,000 fibres/day.…”

Section: Potential Ecotoxicological Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risks of Covid-19 face masks to wildlife: Present and future research needs

Silva

Prata

Mouneyrac

et al. 2021

Science of The Total Environment

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The use of disposable face masks became essential to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an unprecedented rise in their production and, unfortunately, to a new form of environmental contamination due to improper disposal. Recent publications reported the abundance of COVID-19-related litter in several environments, wildlife interaction with such items, and the contaminants that can be released from such protective equipment that has the potential to induce ecotoxicological effects. This paper provides a critical review of COVID-19 face mask occurrence in diverse environments and their adverse physiological and ecotoxicological effects on wildlife. It also outlines potential remediation strategies to mitigate the environmental challenge impose by COVID-19-related litter.

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Are We Underestimating Anthropogenic Microfiber Pollution? A Critical Review of Occurrence, Methods, and Reporting

Athey

Erdle

2021

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

136

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Anthropogenic microfibers, a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, can be categorized as synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural according to material of origin and production process. Although natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, originated from natural sources, they often contain chemical additives, including colorants (e.g., dyes, pigments) and finishes (e.g., flame retardants, anti-microbial agents, UV-stabilizers).These additives are applied to textiles during production to give textiles desired properties This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Accepted Articlelike enhanced durability. Anthropogenically-modified 'natural' and semi-synthetic fibers are sufficiently persistent to undergo long-range transport and accumulate in the environment, where they are ingested by biota. Although most research and communication on microfibers has focused on the sources, pathways and effects of synthetic fibers in the environment, natural and semi-synthetic fibers warrant further investigation because of their abundance. Due to the challenges in enumerating and identifying natural and semi-synthetic fibers in environmental samples and the focus on microplastic or synthetic fibers, reports of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment may be underestimated. In this critical review, we (1) report that natural and semisynthetic microfibers are abundant, (2) highlight that some environmental compartments are relatively understudied in the microfiber literature, and (3) report which methods are suitable to enumerate and characterize the full suite of anthropogenic microfibers. We then use these findings to (4) recommend best practices to assess the abundance of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment, including natural and semi-synthetic fibers. By focusing exclusively on synthetic fibers in the environment, we are neglecting a major component of anthropogenic microfiber pollution.

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The release process of microfibers: from surgical face masks into the marine environment

Cited by 201 publications

References 23 publications

Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19

Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19

Risks of Covid-19 face masks to wildlife: Present and future research needs

Are We Underestimating Anthropogenic Microfiber Pollution? A Critical Review of Occurrence, Methods, and Reporting

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