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Liu YJ, Yang HY, Hu YY, Li ZH, Yin H, He YT, Zhong KQ, Yuan L, Zheng X, Sheng GP. Face mask derived micro(nano)plastics and organic compounds potentially induce threat to aquatic ecosystem security revealed by toxicogenomics-based assay. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120251. [PMID: 37356160 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Micro(nano)plastics widely detected in aquatic environments have caused serious threat to water quality security. However, as a potential important source of micro(nano)plastics in surface water during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ecological risks of face mask waste to aquatic environments remain poorly understood. Herein, we comprehensively characterized the micro(nano)plastics and organic compounds released from four daily used face masks in aqueous environments and further evaluated their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystem safety by quantitative genotoxicity assay. Results from spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrum showed that plastic microfibers/particles (∼11%-83%) and leachable organic compounds (∼15%-87%) were dominantly emitted pollutants, which were significantly higher than nanoplastics (< ∼5%) based on mass of carbon. Additionally, a toxicogenomics approach using green fluorescence protein-fused whole-cell array revealed that membrane stress was the primary response upon the exposure to micro(nano)plastics, whereas the emitted organic chemicals were mainly responsible for DNA damage involving most of the DNA repair pathways (e.g., base/nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, double-strand break repair), implying their severe threat to membrane structure and DNA replication of microorganisms. Therefore, the persistent release of discarded face masks derived pollutants might exacerbate water quality and even adversely affect aquatic microbial functions. These findings would contribute to unraveling the potential effects of face mask waste on aquatic ecosystem security and highlight the necessity for more developed management regulations in face mask disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - He-Yun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yan-Yun Hu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zheng-Hao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Hao Yin
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yun-Tian He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Keng-Qiang Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Li Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Guo-Ping Sheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
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3
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Park S, Kim Y, Lee W, Nam C. Superhydrophobic polypropylene sorbent derived from discarded face masks: A highly efficient adsorbent for oil spill sorbent. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:135186. [PMID: 35660399 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Globally, an estimated 130 billion face masks are used and disposed of every month. Thus, recycling or upcycling discarded face masks has attracted significant attention due to economic benefits and environmental concerns. To reduce the amount of used face masks going to waste, this study features a superhydrophobic face mask prepared by simple chemical modification with environmentally preferable alkane solvents (n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-decane), that is effective as a sorbent for oil spill cleanup. All alkanes examined increased the surface roughness of the face masks and improved face mask hydrophobicity. The heptane treated face mask (at 90 °C for 1 h), can adsorbed Arabian light crude oil up to 21 times of their weight on the water surface. In addition, chloroform, toluene, gasoline, and diesel were adsorbed 18, 13, 8 and 16 times, respectively. More importantly, heptane has a high recycling efficiency as a treatment solvent and is reusable for at least 10 cycles of mask surface treatment. Consequently, this inexpensive and easily fabricated material is a promising development in waste face mask (WFM) upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejin Park
- Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deogjin-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, South Korea
| | - Yoonho Kim
- Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deogjin-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, South Korea
| | - Wonho Lee
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi, Gyeongbuk, 39177, South Korea; Department of Energy Engineering Convergence, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 61 Daehak-ro, Gumi, Gyeongbuk, 39177, South Korea
| | - Changwoo Nam
- Organic Materials and Fiber Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deogjin-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, South Korea.
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4
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Cáceres CF. Unresolved COVID Controversies: 'Normal science' and potential non-scientific influences. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:622-640. [PMID: 35167763 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2036219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe COVID-19 health crisis has so far involved enormous consequences in human pain, suffering and death. While biomedical science responded early, its response has been marked by several controversies between what appeared to be mainstream perspectives, and diverse alternative views; far from leading to productive debate, controversies often preceded polarisation and, allegedly, exclusion and even censorship of alternative views, followed by the pretense of scientific consensus. This paper describes and discusses the main controversies in the production of COVID biomedical knowledge and derived control measures, to establish if alternative positions are also legitimate from a 'normal science' perspective (rather than comparing them for superiority); explores potential non-scientific explanations of the alleged exclusion of certain views; and analyzes ethical issues implied. The operation of non-scientific factors in scientific and regulatory processes (e.g. various forms of subtle corruption) has been documented in the past; the intervention of such influences in the mishandling of controversies (i.e. on early management, non-pharmacological prevention and vaccination) cannot be ruled out and deserves further investigation. Some of these controversies, increasingly visible in the public domain, also involve ethical challenges that need urgent attention. Polarisation, censorship and dogma are foreign to true science and must be left behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F Cáceres
- School of Public Health and Administration, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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5
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Kwon S, Joshi AD, Lo CH, Drew DA, Nguyen LH, Guo CG, Ma W, Mehta RS, Shebl FM, Warner ET, Astley CM, Merino J, Murray B, Wolf J, Ourselin S, Steves CJ, Spector TD, Hart JE, Song M, VoPham T, Chan AT. Association of social distancing and face mask use with risk of COVID-19. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3737. [PMID: 34145289 PMCID: PMC8213701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24115-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the continued burden of COVID-19 worldwide, there is a high unmet need for data on the effect of social distancing and face mask use to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. We examined the association of community-level social distancing measures and individual face mask use with risk of predicted COVID-19 in a large prospective U.S. cohort study of 198,077 participants. Individuals living in communities with the greatest social distancing had a 31% lower risk of predicted COVID-19 compared with those living in communities with poor social distancing. Self-reported 'always' use of face mask was associated with a 62% reduced risk of predicted COVID-19 even among individuals living in a community with poor social distancing. These findings provide support for the efficacy of mask-wearing even in settings of poor social distancing in reducing COVID-19 transmission. Despite mass vaccination campaigns in many parts of the world, continued efforts at social distancing and face mask use remain critically important in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohee Kwon
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amit D Joshi
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chun-Han Lo
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Drew
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Long H Nguyen
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chuan-Guo Guo
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenjie Ma
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raaj S Mehta
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fatma Mohamed Shebl
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erica T Warner
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christina M Astley
- Division of Endocrinology and Computational Epidemiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jordi Merino
- Diabetes Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Programs in Metabolism and Medical & Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Murray
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sebastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Claire J Steves
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tim D Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingyang Song
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Trang VoPham
- Epidemiology Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew T Chan
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Diabetes Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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