University of Southern Denmark
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Recent studies estimate that we use an astounding 129 billion face masks globally every month – that is 3 million a minute. Most of them are disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers.
– With increasing reports on inappropriate disposal of masks, it is urgent to recognize this potential environmental threat and prevent it from becoming the next plastic problem, researchers warn in a comment in the scientific journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering.
The researchers are Environmental Toxicologist Elvis Genbo Xu from University of Southern Denmark and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Zhiyong Jason Ren from Princeton University.
No guidelines for mask recycling:
Disposable masks are plastic products, that cannot be readily biodegraded but may fragment into smaller plastic particles, namely micro- and nanoplastics that widespread in ecosystems.
The enormous production of disposable masks is on a similar scale as plastic bottles, which is estimated to be 43 billion per month.
However, different from plastic bottles, (of which app. 25 pct. is recycled), there is no official guidance on mask recycle, making it more likely to be disposed of as solid waste, the researchers write.
Greater concern than plastic bags:
If not disposed of for recycling, like other plastic wastes, disposable masks can end up in the environment, freshwater systems, and oceans, where weathering can generate a large number of micro-sized particles (smaller than 5 mm) during a relatively short period (weeks) and further fragment into nanoplastics (smaller than 1 micrometer).
– A newer and bigger concern is that the masks are directly made from microsized plastic fibers (thickness of ~1 to 10 micrometers). When breaking down in the environment, the mask may release more micro-sized plastics, easier and faster than bulk plastics like plastic bags, the researchers write, continuing:
– Such impacts can be worsened by a new-generation mask, nanomasks, which directly use nano-sized plastic fibers (with a diameter smaller than 1 micrometer) and add a new source of nanoplastic pollution.
– The researchers stress that they do not know how masks contribute to the large number of plastic particles detected in the environment – simply because no data on mask degradation in nature exists.
– But we know that, like other plastic debris, disposable masks may also accumulate and release harmful chemical and biological substances, such as bisphenol A, heavy metals, as well as pathogenic micro-organisms. These may pose indirect adverse impacts on plants, animals and humans, says Elvis Genbo Xu.
What can we do?
Elvis Genbo Xu and Zhiyong Jason Ren have the following suggestions for dealing with the problem:
- Set up mask-only trash cans for collection and disposal
- consider standardization, guidelines, and strict implementation of waste management for mask wastes
- replace disposable masks with reusable face masks like cotton masks
- consider development of biodegradable disposal masks.
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Oh dear, my fantastical solutions are spawning hypothetical consequences. Historians will note that when the endless fears of the precautionary principle were given free rein, the end of civilisation became inevitable.
As usual, if it’s a product that Progressives approve of then they just don’t care. It’s only when a product or service somehow offends Progressive sensibilities and it’s something that Progressives can easily live without that these concerns become a problem.
Not strictly true. Let the Regressives* try to live without fossil fuels, which they have been trying to get banned. Some, the useful idiots, think it can be done, though it’s supposed to be other people who give up their cars and reliable electricity. Some Regressives are just too important to give up their cars**.
*There is nothing progressive about Progressive policies. It’s all regressive. They are Regressives.
**And planes. I’m looking at you, Kerry and Gore.
Progressivism is such a great religion! It must feel awesome never having to say you’re sorry or admit you’re wrong! We should ask Loydo and the griffter how it feels, since we can rarely get any facts out of them!
Stop using them.
Masks can stop bacteria but not viruses. They are useless against covid19.
-The average diameter of a single bacterium is 4.25 micrometers. A micrometer is one thousandth of a meter. A meter is 39.37 inches. The average diameter of a coronavirus is 90 nanometers. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.
–There are roughly two orders of magnitude (100 times) difference between a single bacterium and a virus. We can see a single bacterium with a very powerful optical microscope. We cannot see viruses with optical microscopes. We need very powerful electron microscopes to resolve a virus.
-Most doctors are very good in medicine but have very little understanding of physics. The same holds true for virologists and other researchers in the field.
https://principia-scientific.com/are-facemasks-effective-against-viruses-or-not/
The best thing you can do to stop getting the flu is to regularly wash your hands, and try to avoid touching your face.
https://principia-scientific.com/the-science-exposing-the-myths-about-medical-masks/
https://principia-scientific.com/masks-the-science-myths/
your micrometers are bigger than mine
Mine are of no concern as they end up getting oxidized in a very hot fire.
Consider them as biofuels and the problem is solved.
Recycling bins in parking lots. They are all over the ground in parking lots.
Don’t know where you are, here in America parking lots/structures have trash cans of various types located handily and in multiple locations. Idiots still throw stuff on the ground.
A lot of hype surrounding their theory.
No testing.
No physical analysis
Yet, the researchers feel free to include every hysterical alarmist panic nuance.
This paper belongs in trash receptacles well before the masks.
Stop wearing the stupid, ineffective, and disgusting face diapers, no more pollution. Easy!
BS. There’s no credible evidence that micro/nano plastics or bisphenol A, have any significant danger to anything.
Calm down eck, Charles was pulling your leg, bisphenol A is his favourite one.
Poor loy-dodo, yet another pointless evidence free EMPTY comment..
Pertaining to NOTHING.
Which group of rodents were you in loy-dodo ?
the majority of masks and they way they’re being worn/used by the general population is useless in preventing the spread of covid at any meaningful level… since they’re useless, stop mandating them… you have now just reduced the impact regarding the disposal of masks
To goracle. How many cloth and plastic fibres have been inhaled during this pandemic. I find it worrying in the future.
My ENT specialist has the exact same worry. He has treated people with breathing problems from wearing such masks for work, now people are wearing them for much longer periods of time.