Plastic pollution was already a greatest threat to our planet even before the coronavirus outbreak began. The ability of face masks to protect basic transmission of the disease has led to a sudden boom in its usage.
Problem lies in its adequate disposal. According to UNEP, around 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, ends up in landfills or seas.
According to study “Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of Pathways Towards Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution”, endorsed by UNEP, forecasts that without action, plastics dumped into the ocean will triple by 2040, from 11 to 29 million tonnes per year.
Well, it is to know that these masks, especially the disposable ones, are not only a threat to Environment and other organisms apart from Humans. Its even a threat looming over Humans.
However, recent studies have pointed out that Disposable masks in different conditions prove dangerous and even lethal.
According to Scientists at Swansea University, disposable face masks when submerged in water, can release potentially dangerous chemical pollutants including lead, antimony, and copper.
These toxins may form within the silicon-based, plastic fibers of common disposable face masks.
Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) and the SPECIFIC Innovation & Knowledge Centre contributed in the study.
The study has aimed to explore and establish the direct link between special gears (single-use masks) and associated new forms of pollution those originate upon their contact with Nature’s elements.
A researcher said: “The production of disposable plastic face masks (DPFs) in China alone has reached approximately 200 million a day, in a global effort to tackle the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, improper and unregulated disposal of these DPFs is a plastic pollution problem we are already facing and will only continue to intensify.”
Which masks were covered in the study and what was found?
The tests by research team involved a variety of masks – ranging from plain face masks to novelty masks for children.
Significant levels of pollutants were found in all the masks tested. Micro/nanoparticles and heavy metals got released into the water when the masks were submerged.
It will not be difficult to derive that these particles proved to be easily detached from face masks as they leached into the water without visible agitation or aid. This can even suggest that these particles are mechanically unstable and readily available to be detached, leading to a chain of reactions.
Researchers have issued a warning that repeated exposure could be hazardous as the compounds found in these masks have established links to cause cell death, genotoxicity and even cancer formation in the long run.
“There is a concerning amount of evidence that suggests that DPFs waste can potentially have a substantial environmental impact by releasing pollutants simply by exposing them to water. Many of the toxic pollutants found in our research have bio-accumulative properties when released into the environment and our findings show that DPFs could be one of the main sources of these environmental contaminants during and after the Covid-19 pandemic”, the researcher explains.
This calls for a comprehensive investigation to determine the quantities, probability and potential impacts of these particles leaching into the environment.
The urgent need is to ascertain and estimate the levels being inhaled by users during normal breathing using these masks. This is a significant concern, especially for health care professionals, key workers, and children who have to wear these masks for longer durations whatsoever.
Based upon further research, subsequent regulations are required for public good in the manufacturing and testing process of these masks available in market.
Can we incinerate these masks to remove excess waste?
Disposable mask is made of different compounds like polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, and Fe, making it hard to be recycled.
And amongst the thermo-chemical processes, incinerating PPE is commonly practiced in Hospitals but it suffers from technical incompleteness in terms of air pollution controls.
Pyrolysis offers an effective means to recover energy and chemicals through carbon rearrangement. Specifically, carbonaceous elements can transform into different phases of pyrogenic products, including syngas or gaseous/liquid hydrocarbons.
Humans must learn to adapt truly else Nature will take no time to eliminate us. Even though we want good things in life, we tend to inherit evil character to our simplest of creations.
There is no wrong in trying to make lives better, but required is to address its shortcomings when the time is still right.