PeerJ,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
12, P. e16889 - e16889
Published: Feb. 8, 2024
Background
The
COVID-19
pandemic
had
an
enormous
impact
on
people’s
quality
of
life
worldwide.
Appropriate
use
facemasks
is
important
checkpoint
in
containing
the
spread
infection,
which
was
believed
to
provide
desired
level
protection
and
preserve
community.
Given
relative
novelty
facemask
general
population,
it
imperative
prioritize
promotion
appropriate
utilization
identify
factors
that
may
contribute
poor
adherence.
Aim
This
study
assessed
determined
among
public.
Methods
A
cross-sectional
questionnaire-based
conducted
residents
Kingdom
Saudi
Arabia
between
November
2020
January
2021.
current
explored
such
as
demographic
characteristics
influencing
knowledge
practice
proper
facemasks.
included
a
total
198
participants.
results
were
derived
through
binomial
logistic
regression
analysis
determine
relationship
responses.
Results
key
findings
are
crucial
developing
targeted
intervention
strategies
enhance
responsible
disposal
gender,
income
employment.
significant
difference
found
male
female
participants
regarding
positive
approach
using
facemasks,
washing
their
hands
(
P
=
0.042).
In
addition,
homemakers
differed
significantly
from
students,
correct
usage
(P
0.026).
aware
hand
hygiene
essential
when
putting
removing
Despite
wearing
properly,
adult
possessed
less
about
hazards
reusing
(OR
0.202,
95%
CI
[0.032–1.298]).
Conclusion
present
research
identified
income,
employment
primary
attributes
play
pivotal
role
formulation
focused
tactics
aimed
at
improving
cautious
It
implement
nationwide
awareness
activities,
information
campaigns,
knowledge.
Health
authorities
should
establish
functional
infrastructure
for
collection
used
by
public,
starting
with
dissemination
Moreover,
have
implications
health
preventive
programs
preparing
future
pandemics,
since
they
highlight
specific
groups
be
prioritized
development
policies.
Furthermore,
advisable
integrate
these
interventional
initiatives
national
polices
promote
preparedness
handling
pandemics.
Cement and Concrete Composites,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
139, P. 105047 - 105047
Published: April 6, 2023
Surgical
face
mask
usage
has
rapidly
increased
in
the
last
two
years
due
to
COVID-19
pandemic.
This
generates
vast
amounts
of
plastic
waste,
causing
significant
risks
ecosystem.
Thus,
this
study
assesses
potential
using
recycled
fibre
from
waste
as
reinforcement
3D
concrete
printing
(3DCP)
applications
improve
printability
while
reducing
landfill
waste.
The
effect
masks
on
rheological
characteristics
printable
mixes
and
mechanical
performance
printed
elements
was
evaluated
for
different
contents
shredded
(i.e.,
1%
2%
by
vol).
properties
like
static
dynamic
yield
strengths,
apparent
viscosity,
thixotropic
behaviour,
along
with
compressive
flexural
strength,
were
specimens
compared
their
mould-cast
counterparts.
Further,
variation
interlayer
bond
strength
porosity
dosages
also
investigated.
In
addition,
a
comparative
fresh
hardened
performed
polypropylene
(PP)
fibres
masks.
addition
significantly
improved
good
extrudability
buildability
all
dosages.
Compared
masks,
PP
showed
poor
higher
41%
dosage
when
unreinforced
concrete.
Furthermore,
tested
weaker
interface,
an
increase
74%
82%
content.
content
21%
improvement
observed
have
highest
surface
moisture
are
be
comparable
dosage.
similar.
The Science of The Total Environment,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
919, P. 170469 - 170469
Published: Feb. 2, 2024
The
COVID-19
pandemic
created
an
unprecedented
demand
for
PPE,
with
single-use
face
masks
emerging
as
a
critical
tool
in
containing
virus
transmission.
However,
the
extensive
use
and
improper
disposal
of
these
masks,
predominantly
composed
non-biodegradable
plastics,
has
exacerbated
environmental
challenges.
This
research
presents
innovative
method
mechanically
upcycling
PPEs
used
medical
sectors
i.e.
single
masks.
study
investigates
facile
approach
reclamation
infection-free
pure
polypropylene
(PP)
plastic
from
discarded
(W-PP)
blends
it
various
vegetable
oil
percentages
(5,
10
20
%),
resulting
versatile
material
suitable
applications.
Melt
flow
index,
rheological
behaviour,
DSC
FTIR
were
employed
to
investigate
effect
oil/radical
initiator
through
chemical
grafting
on
W-PP
properties.
results
demonstrate
significant
enhancements
tensile
strength
modulus
when
blended
radical
initiator.
There
was
marked
increase
(33
%)
strain
(55
compared
untreated
W-PP,
rendering
both
robust
flexible.
Furthermore,
we
this
upcycled
fabrication
glass
fibre-reinforced
composites,
notable
impact
resistance.
demonstrates
excellent
potential
applications,
such
sheet
forming
3D
printing,
where
non-brittleness
plastics
plays
pivotal
role
manufacturing
high-quality
products.
cost-benefit
analysis
underscores
PPE
waste
sustainable
solution
mitigate
pollution
conserve
valuable
resources.
applications
span
wide
range
industries,
including
automotive
packaging,
printing.
Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
4, P. 100125 - 100125
Published: Aug. 26, 2021
Single
use
personal
protective
equipment
(PPE)
has
played
a
major
role
in
preventing
COVID-19
infection.
Since
the
beginning
of
pandemic,
over
4
million
tonnes
polypropylene
PPE
waste
been
disposed
into
environment
uncontrolled
manner
causing
significant
and
long-term
ecological
damage.
This
work
also
highlights
several
effective
measures
to
alleviate
problem
waste.
Short-term
include
knowledge
sharing
minimise
single
adapt
innovative
recycling
technologies.
To
prepare
for
future
it
is
essential
phase
out
using
natural
based
polymers.
Environmental Technology & Innovation,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
28, P. 102837 - 102837
Published: July 21, 2022
The
threat
of
epidemic
outbreaks
like
SARS-CoV-2
is
growing
owing
to
the
exponential
growth
global
population
and
continual
increase
in
human
mobility.
Personal
protection
against
viral
infections
was
enforced
using
ambient
air
filters,
face
masks,
other
respiratory
protective
equipment.
Available
facemasks
feature
considerable
variation
efficacy,
materials
usage
characteristic
properties.
Despite
their
widespread
use
importance,
masks
pose
major
potential
threats
due
uncontrolled
manufacture
disposal
techniques.
Improper
solid
waste
management
enables
propagation
increases
volume
associated
biomedical
at
an
alarming
rate.
Polymers
used
single-use
include
a
spectrum
chemical
constituents:
plasticisers
flame
retardants
leading
health-related
issues
over
time.
ample
research
this
field,
efficacy
personal
equipment
its
impact
post-disposal
yet
be
explored
satisfactorily.
following
review
assimilates
information
on
different
forms
currently
use.
Proper
techniques
pertaining
such
special
wastes
have
also
been
discussed.
study
features
holistic
overview
innovations
made
corresponding
health
environment.
Strategies
with
SDG3
SDG12,
outlining
safe
proper
waste,
Furthermore,
employing
CFD
paradigm,
3D
model
mask
created
based
fluid
flow
during
breathing
Lastly,
concludes
possible
future
advancements
promising
avenues
