Release of phthalate esters (PAEs) and microplastics (MPs) from face masks and gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 215, С. 114337 - 114337

Опубликована: Сен. 15, 2022

Язык: Английский

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Towards the Sustainability of the Plastic Industry through Biopolymers: Properties and Potential Applications to the Textiles World

Polymers, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 14(4), С. 692 - 692

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2022

This study aims to provide an overview of the latest research studies on use biopolymers in various textile processes, from spinning processes dyeing and finishing treatment, proposed as a possible solution reduce environmental impact industry. Recently, awareness polluting aspects production, based petroleum derivatives, has grown significantly. Environmental issues resulting greenhouse gas emissions, waste accumulation nature landfills, have pushed activities toward more sustainable, low-impact alternatives. Polymers derived renewable resources and/or with biodegradable characteristics were investigated follows: (i) constituent materials yarn view their superior ability be decomposed compared common synthetic petroleum-derived plastics, positive antibacterial activities, good breathability, mechanical properties; (ii) act biological catalysts; (iii) impart specific functional properties treated textiles; (iv) 3D printing technologies fabric surfaces replace traditionally pollutive dye-based inkjet printing; (v) implants for treatment dye-contaminated water. Finally, current projects led by well-known companies development new market are presented.

Язык: Английский

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Current knowledge on the presence, biodegradation, and toxicity of discarded face masks in the environment

Journal of environmental chemical engineering, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11(2), С. 109308 - 109308

Опубликована: Янв. 11, 2023

During the first year of COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks became mandatory, with a great preference for disposable ones. However, benefits face masks health safety are counteracted by environmental burden related to their improper disposal. An unprecedented influx entering environment has been reported in last two years along implications natural environments terms biodegradability, released contaminants and ecotoxicological effects. This critical review addresses several aspects current literature regarding (bio)degradation (eco)toxicity contaminants, identifying uncertainties research needs that should be addressed future studies. While it is indisputable mask contamination contributes already alarming plastic pollution, we still far from determining its real contribution issue. The paucity studies on biodegradation ecotoxicity uncontrolled variables involved during experimental procedures, compromising eventual comparison conventional debris. Studies abundance composition mask-released (microplastics/fibres/ chemical compounds) under pre- post-pandemic conditions should, therefore, encouraged, tests considering environmentally relevant settings. To achieve this, methodological strategies developed overcome technical difficulties quantify characterise smallest MPs fibres, adsorbents, leachates increase relevancy conditions.

Язык: Английский

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Microalgae for microplastic removal from water and wastewater: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 5, 2025

Язык: Английский

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The face behind the Covid-19 mask — A comprehensive review

Environmental Technology & Innovation, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 28, С. 102837 - 102837

Опубликована: Июль 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

Язык: Английский

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Indirect effects of COVID-19 on the environment: How plastic contamination from disposable surgical masks affect early development of plants

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 436, С. 129255 - 129255

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2022

Personal protective equipment, used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic, heavily burdened environment due to improper waste management. Owing their fibrous structure, layered non-woven polypropylene (PP) disposable masks release secondary fragments at a much higher rate than other plastic types, thus, posing barely understood new form of ecological hazard. Here we show that PP mask different sizes induce morphogenic responses in plants early development. Using vitro systems and soil-filled rhizotrons, found several treatments modified root growth Brassica napus (L.) regardless experimental system. The around seemed influence effect fabric fragment contamination on growth. In soil, primary length was clearly inhibited by larger 1 % concentration, while two smallest applied caused distinct, concentration-dependent changes lateral numbers. Our results indicate can act as stressor: surgical affects plant hence, warrants attention. Further investigations regarding effects pollution plant-soil interactions involving various soil types are urgently needed.

Язык: Английский

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Electrospun Cyclodextrin/Poly(L-lactic acid) Nanofibers for Efficient Air Filter: Their PM and VOC Removal Efficiency and Triboelectric Outputs

Polymers, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 15(3), С. 722 - 722

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2023

In this work, PLLA and CD/PLLA nanofibers were fabricated using electrospinning utilized as a particulate matter (PM) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) filter. The electrospun characterized with various techniques, including SEM, BET, FTIR, XRD, XPS, WCA, DSC, tensile strength testing, PM VOCs removal efficiency, triboelectric performance. results demonstrated that the best air filter was 2.5 wt%CD/PLLA, which performed highest filtration efficiencies of 96.84 ± 1.51% 99.38 0.43% for capturing

Язык: Английский

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The environmental impact of mask-derived microplastics on soil ecosystems

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 912, С. 169182 - 169182

Опубликована: Дек. 11, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Plastic Waste and COVID-19 Incidence Among Hospital Staff After Deescalation in PPE Use

JAMA Network Open, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8(4), С. e255264 - e255264

Опубликована: Апрель 15, 2025

Importance In September 2023, the Singapore Ministry of Health revised national personal protective equipment (PPE) guideline for health care personnel (HCP) attending to suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19, recommending use N95 respirators alone. However, data on associations between PPE deescalation, staff COVID-19 incidence, and sustainability outcomes are limited. Objective To evaluate deescalation guidelines incidence environmental measure. Design, Setting, Participants This was a retrospective quality improvement study hospital usage using from Tan Tock Seng Hospital National Centre Infectious Diseases (NCID), analyzing monthly rates among HCP (all medical staff, allied workers, ancillary administrative campus) in community over 12 months before after measures (October 2021 2022 October 2023). Main Outcomes Measures community; economic removing single-use gowns routine care, including reductions carbon footprint, plastic waste generation, cost savings. Results The mean (SD) number 10 774 (79) (range, 636-10 891) preimplementation 11 099 (200) 864-11 449) postimplementation. Our analysis revealed not associated an increase infections trends aligning population infection rates. median (IQR) rate relative 2.6 (1.9-3.6) compared 1.5 (0.9-3.1) An estimated 4 per patient-day were saved, totaling 440 532 months. equated reduction costs by SGD 453 748 (approximately USD 333 970) 398 681.46 kg dioxide equivalent emissions 66 080 waste. Conclusions Relevance observed that corresponded gown use, costs, generation no apparent compromise safety health.

Язык: Английский

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Physicochemical and Structural Evidence that Bacillus cereus Isolated from the Gut of Waxworms (Galleria mellonella Larvae) Biodegrades Polypropylene Efficiently In Vitro

Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 31(10), С. 4274 - 4287

Опубликована: Май 10, 2023

Язык: Английский

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