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Chen Y, Chen Q, Zuo C, Zhang S, Zhang M, Hou X, Shi H. Leaching potentials of microplastic fibers and UV stabilizers from coastal-littered face masks. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:134999. [PMID: 38925055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic fibrous textiles are ubiquitous plastic commodities in everyday existence. Nevertheless, there exists a dearth of understanding regarding their environmental occurrence and the releasing capacities of associated additives. In this study, ten additives were determined in twenty-eight kinds of daily used plastic products including face masks, synthetic clothing, and food containers. Our results revealed that a typical kind of fibrous plastic, face masks, contained a greater variety of additives with UV stabilizers in particular, when compared to other plastic commodities. The above phenomena triggered our field investigation for the occurrence and release potentials of face mask fibers and the co-existing UV stabilizers into the environment. We further collected 114 disposed masks from coastal areas and analyzed their UV stabilizer concentrations. Results showed that the abundance of littered face masks ranged from 40-1846 items/km2 along the Yangtze Estuary, China; and UV stabilizers were of 0.3 ± 0.7 ng/g and 0.7 ± 1.7 ng/g in main bodies and ear ropes, respectively. The UV stabilizer concentrations in the field collected masks were only ∼7 % of their new counterparts, implying their potential leaching after disposal. By simulating the weathering scenario, we predict that a substantial amount of microplastics, with 1.1 × 1010 polypropylene fibers and 3.7 × 1010 polyester fibers, are probably be released daily into the coastal environment after face masks disposal; whereas the accompanied leaching amount of UV stabilizers was relatively modest under the current scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Qiqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education & Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chencheng Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Sijia Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Mengdan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xiaohong Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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Tan Z, Deng H, Ou H, Liao Z, Wu X, Liu R, Ou H. Microplastics and volatile organic compounds released from face masks after disinfection: Layers and materials differences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170286. [PMID: 38280606 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170286] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Effective disinfection methods are critical for ensuring the reusability of masks, yet these methods may inadvertently introduce health concerns associated with microplastics (MPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study investigated the impact of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) bleaching on mask filter layers composed of four distinct materials. Our results revealed that UVGI induced more pronounced damage compared to bleaching, leading to the significant release of both MPs and VOCs. After UVGI treatment at conventional disinfection doses, meltblown (MB) fabrics released MPs reaching 864 ± 182 μg/g (92 ± 19 particles/g). For all filter layers, the quantity of released MPs followed the order: MB > HDPE>PU ≈ NW. These MPs were identified as degraded debris from the mask filter layers. The specific VOCs generated varied depending on the material composition. Non-woven (NW) and MB fabrics, both comprised of polypropylene, predominantly produced various branched aliphatic hydrocarbons and their derivative oxides. The cotton-like fabric, composed of high-density polyethylene, primarily emitted different linear aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygenates. In contrast, the polyurethane filter layer of reusable masks released aromatic compounds, nitrogenous compounds, and their oxidation products. The formation of VOCs was primarily attributed to bond breakage and oxidative damage to the filter structure resulting from the disinfection process. In summary, as UVGI induced higher yields of MPs and VOCs compared to bleaching, the latter would be a safer option for mask disinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyi Tan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Haiyang Deng
- CECEP Construction Engineering Design Institute Limited Company, Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Huali Ou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Zhianqi Liao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xinni Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Ruijuan Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Huase Ou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China; Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
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Huang H, Shi Y, Gong Z, Wang J, Zheng L, Gao S. Revealing the characteristics of biofilms on different polypropylene plastic products: Comparison between disposable masks and takeaway boxes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133400. [PMID: 38198871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133400] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The increasingly severe plastic pollution issue was intensified by the enormous plastic emissions into ecosystems during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plastic wastes entering the environment were swiftly exposed to microorganisms and colonized by biofilms, and the plastic-biofilm combined effects further influenced the ecosystem. However, the non-woven structure of disposable masks discarded carelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic was different from those of plastics with flat surface. To reveal the potential effects of plastic structure on colonized biofilms, white disposable surgical masks (DM) and transparent takeaway boxes (TB), both made of polyethylene, were selected for the incubation of organic conditioning films and biofilms. The results indicated that the non-woven structure of disposable mask was destroyed by the influence of water infiltration and biofilm colonization. The influence of surface structure on conditioning films led to a relatively higher proportion of tryptophan-like substances on DM than those on TB samples. Therefore, biofilms with significantly higher microbial biomass and carbon metabolic capacity were formed on DM than those on TB samples owing to the combined effects of their differences in surface structure and conditioning films. Moreover, abundant functional microorganisms associated with stress tolerance, carbon metabolism and biofilm formation were observed in biofilms on disposable mask. Combining with the results of partial least squares regression analysis, the selective colonization of functional microorganisms on disposable masks with uneven surface longitudinal fluctuation was revealed. Although the predicted functions of biofilms on disposable masks and takeaway boxes showed more similarity to each other than to those of free-living aquatic microorganisms owing to the existence of the plastisphere, biofilms on disposable masks may potentially trigger environmental risks different from those of takeaway boxes by unique carbon metabolism and abundant biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lezhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China.
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Li XP, Huang GY, Qiu SQ, Lei DQ, Wang CS, Xie L, Ying GG. Identification of Additives in Disposable Face Masks and Evaluation of Their Toxicity Using Marine Medaka ( Oryzias melastigma). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:121-131. [PMID: 38118121 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in huge amounts of face masks worldwide. However, there is a lack of awareness on the additives and their potential risk to aquatic ecosystems of face masks. To address this issue, the additives and their toxicity in 13 face masks (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid) were determined using nontarget analysis and bioassays. A total of 826 organic additives including intermediates (14.8%), surfactants (9.3%), plasticizers (8.2%), and antioxidants (6.1%) were tentatively identified, with 213 compounds being assigned confidence levels of 1 and 2. Interestingly, polylactic acid masks contained more additives than most polypropylene or polyethylene masks. Among these additives, the concentration of tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate in masks was 9.4-978.2 ng/g with a 100% detection frequency. Furthermore, 13 metals such as zinc (up to 202.0 μg/g), copper (32.5 μg/g), and chromium (up to 5.7 μg/g) were detected in the face masks. The methanol extracts of the masks showed the developmental toxicity, swimming behavior, and/or endocrine disruption in embryos/larvae of Oryzias melastigma. The findings demonstrate that face masks contain various toxic additives to marine medaka, which deserves close attention to pollution by face masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Pei Li
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guo-Yong Huang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shu-Qing Qiu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong-Qiao Lei
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chen-Si Wang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Chen J, Yang J, Liu S, Zhou H, Yin X, Luo M, Wu Y, Chang J. Risk profiles for smoke behavior in COVID-19: a classification and regression tree analysis approach. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2302. [PMID: 37990320 PMCID: PMC10664606 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17224-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic emerged worldwide at the end of 2019, causing a severe global public health threat, and smoking is closely related to COVID-19. Previous studies have reported changes in smoking behavior and influencing factors during the COVID-19 period, but none of them explored the main influencing factor and high-risk populations for smoking behavior during this period. METHODS We conducted a nationwide survey and obtained 21,916 valid data. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between each potential influencing factor (sociodemographic characteristics, perceived social support, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy) and smoking outcomes. Then, variables related to smoking behavior were included based on the results of the multiple logistic regression, and the classification and regression tree (CART) method was used to determine the high-risk population for increased smoking behavior during COVID-19 and the most profound influencing factors on smoking increase. Finally, we used accuracy to evaluated the performance of the tree. RESULTS The strongest predictor of smoking behavior during the COVID-19 period is acceptance degree of passive smoking. The subgroup with a high acceptation degree of passive smoking, have no smokers smoked around, and a length of smoking of ≥ 30 years is identified as the highest smoking risk (34%). The accuracy of classification and regression tree is 87%. CONCLUSION The main influencing factor is acceptance degree of passive smoking. More knowledge about the harm of secondhand smoke should be promoted. For high-risk population who smoke, the "mask protection" effect during the COVID-19 pandemic should be fully utilized to encourage smoking cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyun Chen
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Health Management, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute for Hospital Management of Henan Province, No. 1, Longhu Middle Ring Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen, Beijing, China
| | - Siyuan Liu
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haozheng Zhou
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuanhao Yin
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Menglin Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing City, China.
| | - Jinghui Chang
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China.
- Institute of Health Management, Southern Medical University, No.1023-1063 Shatai Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China.
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