| Title | Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID-19 |
| Abstract | 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 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. |
| Source | Journal of hazardous materials (Print) 419 |
| Keywords | MicrofibersNanoplasticsWater pollutionMicroscopyFlow cytometry |
| Journal | Journal of hazardous materials (Print) |
| Editor | Elsevier, New York ;, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126507 |
| Authors | Morgana S.; Casentini B.; Amalfitano S. |
| Text | 456256 2021 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126507 Scopus 2 s2.0 85109043871 Microfibers Nanoplastics Water pollution Microscopy Flow cytometry Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID 19 Morgana S.; Casentini B.; Amalfitano S. Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment IAS CNR , Via della Vasca Navale, Rome, 00146, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment IAS CNR , Via della Vasca Navale, 00146 Rome, Italy, , Italy; Water Research Institute IRSA CNR , Via Salaria Km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, 00015, Water Research Institute IRSA CNR , Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Rome , Italy, , Italy 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 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. 419 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85109043871 origin=inward Uncovering the release of micro/nanoplastics from disposable face masks at times of COVID 19 1 s2.0 S0304389421014722 main.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier 0304 3894 Journal of hazardous materials Print Journal of hazardous materials Print J. hazard. mater. Print Journal of hazardous materials. Print stefano.amalfitano AMALFITANO STEFANO barbara.casentini CASENTINI BARBARA silvia.morgana MORGANA SILVIA |
