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Kumar M, Mazumder P, Silori R, Manna S, Panday DP, Das N, Sethy SK, Kuroda K, Mahapatra DM, Mahlknecht J, Tyagi VK, Singh R, Zang J, Barceló D. Prevalence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, microplastics and co-infecting microbes in the post-COVID-19 era and its implications on antimicrobial resistance and potential endocrine disruptive effects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166419. [PMID: 37625721 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic's steady condition coupled with predominance of emerging contaminants in the environment and its synergistic implications in recent times has stoked interest in combating medical emergencies in this dynamic environment. In this context, high concentrations of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), microplastics (MPs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and soaring coinfecting microbes, tied with potential endocrine disruptive (ED) are critical environmental concerns that requires a detailed documentation and analysis. During the pandemic, the identification, enumeration, and assessment of potential hazards of PPCPs and MPs and (used as anti-COVID-19 agents/applications) in aquatic habitats have been attempted globally. Albeit receding threats in the magnitude of COVID-19 infections, both these pollutants have still posed serious consequences to aquatic ecosystems and the very health and hygiene of the population in the vicinity. The surge in the contaminants post-COVID also renders them to be potent vectors to harbor and amplify AMR. Pertinently, the present work attempts to critically review such instances to understand the underlying mechanism, interactions swaying the current health of our environment during this post-COVID-19 era. During this juncture, although prevention of diseases, patient care, and self-hygiene have taken precedence, nevertheless antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) efforts have been overlooked. Unnecessary usage of PPCPs and plastics during the pandemic has resulted in increased emerging contaminants (i.e., active pharmaceutical ingredients and MPs) in various environmental matrices. It was also noticed that among COVID-19 patients, while the bacterial co-infection prevalence was 0.2-51%, the fungi, viral, protozoan and helminth were 0.3-49, 1-22, 2-15, 0.4-15% respectively, rendering them resistant to residual PPCPs. There are inevitable chances of ED effects from PPCPs and MPs applied previously, that could pose far-reaching health concerns. Furthermore, clinical and other experimental evidence for many newer compounds is very scarce and demands further research. Pro-active measures targeting effective waste management, evolved environmental policies aiding strict regulatory measures, and scientific research would be crucial in minimizing the impact and creating better preparedness towards such events among the masses fostering sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
| | - Payal Mazumder
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Rahul Silori
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Suvendu Manna
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Durga Prasad Panday
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Nilotpal Das
- ENCORE Insoltech Pvt. Ltd, Randesan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382421, India
| | - Susanta Kumar Sethy
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Keisuke Kuroda
- Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu 939 0398, Japan
| | - Durga Madhab Mahapatra
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Vinay Kumar Tyagi
- Wastewater Division, National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttranchal, India
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Wastewater Division, National Institute of Hydrology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttranchal, India
| | - Jian Zang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, China
| | - Damià Barceló
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 1826, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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Rowan NJ. Challenges and future opportunities to unlock the critical supply chain of personal and protective equipment (PPE) encompassing decontamination and reuse under emergency use authorization (EUA) conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: Through a reflective circularity and sustainability lens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 866:161455. [PMID: 36621483 PMCID: PMC9815879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the resulting coronavirus disease (COVID-19), was declared a public health emergency of global concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the early months of 2020. There was a marked lack of knowledge to inform national pandemic response plans encompassing appropriate disease mitigation and preparation strategies to constrain and manage COVID-19. For example, the top 16 "most cited" papers published at the start of the pandemic on core knowledge gaps collectively constitute a staggering 29,393 citations. Albeit complex, appropriate decontamination modalities have been reported and developed for safe reuse of personal and protective equipment (PPE) under emergency use authorization (EUA) where critical supply chain shortages occur for healthcare workers (HCWs) caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Commensurately, these similar methods may provide solutions for the safe decontamination of enormous volumes of PPE waste promoting opportunities in the circular bioeconomy that will also protect our environment, habitats and natural capital. The co-circulation of the highly transmissive mix of COVID-19 variants of concern (VoC) will continue to challenge our embattled healthcare systems globally for many years to come with an emphasis placed on maintaining effective disease mitigation strategies. This viewpoint article addresses the rationale and key developments in this important area since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and provides an insight into a variety of potential opportunities to unlock the long-term sustainability of single-use medical devices, including waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil J Rowan
- Department of Nursing and Healthcare, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest, Ireland; Centre for Disinfection and Sterilization, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest, Ireland; School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland; CURAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Ireland.
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3
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Wang Y, Zhao H, Huang L, Chen G, Wei Z, Mo Q, Li Y, Wang X, Huang C, Chen Q. Development of chlorine dioxide sustained-release device using carboxymethyl cellulose-polyvinyl alcohol-β-cyclodextrin ternary hydrogel and a new sustained-release kinetic model. CELLULOSE (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 30:3073-3082. [PMID: 36776789 PMCID: PMC9897158 DOI: 10.1007/s10570-023-05070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Owing to unique physiochemical and biological properties as well as the ability to be combined with a wide variety of materials for both biocompatibility and hydrophilia, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is an excellent choice as a carrier. Loading Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) into biodegradable carrier for its good disinfection performance and high safety factors has attracted significantattention. Therefore, in this study, we used ClO2 as a model drug, and a sustained-ClO2-gas-release gel was developed from degradable materials, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and β-cyclodextrin (βCD), through a simple and benign crosslinking strategy. Notably, the gel had sustained-release property in a wide temperature range of 4-35 ℃ and released ClO2 gas effectively for more than 30 days. Furthermore, a loss factor was proposed based on the incomplete release of the drug in the sustained release process to a chieve a good fit with the gas diffusion process. A new diffusion model was designed based on the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, and an excellent fit was obtained. This sustained-ClO2-gas-release gel provides theoretical and technical guidance for the development of sustained-disinfectant-release agents for use in space and offers new insights into the sustained release model of skeleton-soluble hydrogels. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10570-023-05070-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wang
- Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Hanyu Zhao
- South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000 China
| | | | - Guangxue Chen
- South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000 China
| | - Zhehao Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp and Papermaking and Pollution Control, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Qi Mo
- Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Yishan Li
- Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Xiyue Wang
- Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Chongxing Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp and Papermaking and Pollution Control, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 China
| | - Qifeng Chen
- South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510000 China
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4
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Martino M, Taligrot H, Cordier C, Moulin P. Supercritical fluid treatment of organic membranes. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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5
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Santos-Rosales V, López-Iglesias C, Sampedro-Viana A, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Ghazanfari S, Magariños B, García-González CA. Supercritical CO 2 sterilization: An effective treatment to reprocess FFP3 face masks and to reduce waste during COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:154089. [PMID: 35218842 PMCID: PMC8864888 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154089] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic unveiled an unprecedented scarcity of personal protective equipment (PPE) available in sanitary premises and for the population worldwide. This situation fostered the development of new strategies to reuse PPE that would ensure sterility and, simultaneously, preserve the filtering properties of the materials. In addition, the reuse of PPEs by reprocessing could reduce the environmental impact of the massive single-use and disposal of these materials. Conventional sterilization techniques such as steam or dry heat, ethylene oxide, and gamma irradiation may alter the functional properties of the PPEs and/or leave toxic residues. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2)-based sterilization is herein proposed as a safe, sustainable, and rapid sterilization method for contaminated face masks while preserving their performance. The functional (bacterial filtration efficiency, breathability, splash resistance, straps elasticity) properties of the processed FFP3 face masks were evaluated after 1 and 10 cycles of sterilization. Log-6 sterilization reduction levels were obtained for face masks contaminated with Bacillus pumilus endospores at mild operating conditions (CO2 at 39 °C and 100 bar for 30 min) and with low contents of H2O2 (150 ppm). Physicochemical properties of the FFP3 face masks remained unchanged after reprocessing and differences in efficacy were not observed neither in the filtration tests, following UNE-EN 14683, nor in the integrity of FFP3 filtration after the sterilization process. The herein presented method based on scCO2 technology is the first reported protocol achieving the reprocessing of FFP3 masks up to 10 cycles while preserving their functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Santos-Rosales
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Clara López-Iglesias
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ana Sampedro-Viana
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Samaneh Ghazanfari
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, 6167 RD Geleen, the Netherlands; Department of Biohybrid and Medical Textiles (BioTex), AME-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Beatriz Magariños
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología, CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carlos A García-González
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, I+D Farma (GI-1645), Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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6
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Castellote M, Jiménez-Relinque E, Grande M, Rubiano FJ, Castillo Á. Face Mask Wastes as Cementitious Materials: A Possible Solution to a Big Concern. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15041371. [PMID: 35207912 PMCID: PMC8879833 DOI: 10.3390/ma15041371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
After more than two years wearing surgical masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, used masks have become a significant risk for ecosystems, as they are producing wastes in huge amounts. They are a potential source of disturbance by themselves and as microplastic contamination in the water system. As 5500 tons of face masks are estimated to be used each year, there is an urgent need to manage them according to the circular economy principles and avoid their inadequate disposal. In this paper, surgical wear masks (WM), without any further pretreatment, have been introduced as addition to mortars up to 5% in the weight of cement. Mechanical and microstructural characterization have been carried out. The results indicate that adding MW to the cement supposes a decrease in the properties of the material, concerning both strength and durability behavior. However, even adding a 5% of WM in weight of cement, the aspect of the mortars is quite good, the flexural strength is not significantly affected, and the strength and durability parameters are maintained at levels that—even lower than the reference—are quite reasonable for use. Provided that the worldwide production of cement is around 4.1 Bt/year, the introduction of a 5% of WM in less than 1% of the cement produced, would make it possible to get rid of the mask waste being produced.
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7
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Supercritical carbon dioxide-based cleaning and sterilization treatments for the reuse of filtering facepiece respirators FFP2 in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. J Supercrit Fluids 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2021.105428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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8
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Rius-Rocabert S, Arranz-Herrero J, Fernández-Valdés A, Marciello M, Moreno S, Llinares-Pinel F, Presa J, Hernandez-Alcoceba R, López-Píriz R, Torrecillas R, García A, Brun A, Filice M, Moya JS, Cabal B, Nistal-Villan E. Broad virus inactivation using inorganic micro/nano-particulate materials. Mater Today Bio 2022; 13:100191. [PMID: 35024597 PMCID: PMC8733340 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic materials can provide a set of tools to decontaminate solid, liquid or air containing viral particles. The use of disinfectants can be limited or not practical in scenarios where continuous cleaning is not feasible. Physicochemical differences between viruses raise the need for effective formulations for all kind of viruses. In the present work we describe two types of antimicrobial inorganic materials: i) a novel soda-lime glass (G3), and ii) kaolin containing metals nanoparticles (Ag or CuO), as materials to disable virus infectivity. Strong antiviral properties can be observed in G3 glass, and kaolin-containing nanoparticle materials showing a reduction of viral infectivity close to 99%. in the first 10 min of contact of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). A potent virucidal activity is also present in G3 and kaolin containing Ag or CuO nanoparticles against all kinds of viruses tested, reducing more than 99% the amount of HSV-1, Adenovirus, VSV, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 exposed to them. Virucidal properties could be explained by a direct interaction of materials with viruses as well as inactivation by the presence of virucidal elements in the material lixiviates. Kaolin-based materials guarantee a controlled release of active nanoparticles with antiviral activity. Current coronavirus crisis highlights the need for new strategies to remove viruses from contaminated areas. We propose these low-cost inorganic materials as useful disinfecting antivirals in the actual or future pandemic threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rius-Rocabert
- Microbiology Section, Dpto. CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain.,Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain.,CEMBIO (Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Arranz-Herrero
- Microbiology Section, Dpto. CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain.,Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adolfo Fernández-Valdés
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda de la Vega 4-6, El Entrego, 33940, Spain
| | - Marzia Marciello
- Nanobiotechnology for Life Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza Ramón y Cajal, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria - Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Llinares-Pinel
- Microbiology Section, Dpto. CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Hernandez-Alcoceba
- Gene Therapy Program. University of Navarra-CIMA, Navarra Institute of Health Research, Av. Pio XII 55, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Roberto López-Píriz
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda de la Vega 4-6, El Entrego, 33940, Spain
| | - Ramón Torrecillas
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda de la Vega 4-6, El Entrego, 33940, Spain
| | - Antonia García
- CEMBIO (Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Brun
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria - Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Filice
- Nanobiotechnology for Life Sciences Group, Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Plaza Ramón y Cajal, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro, 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José S Moya
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda de la Vega 4-6, El Entrego, 33940, Spain
| | - Belen Cabal
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Avda de la Vega 4-6, El Entrego, 33940, Spain
| | - Estanislao Nistal-Villan
- Microbiology Section, Dpto. CC, Farmacéuticas y de la Salud, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain.,Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Universidad San Pablo-CEU, 28668, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Shen M, Zeng Z, Song B, Yi H, Hu T, Zhang Y, Zeng G, Xiao R. Neglected microplastics pollution in global COVID-19: Disposable surgical masks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148130. [PMID: 34091337 PMCID: PMC8164515 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
There have been many studies on the microplastic pollution, influence and control mechanisms of different plastic products. The potential harm of microplastic pollution to the environment has been confirmed. With the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 in the world, disposable surgical masks as effective and cheap protective medical equipment have been widely used by the public. Disposable masks have been a new social norm, but they must have a sense of environmental responsibilities. The random disposal of masks may result in new and greater microplastic pollution, because masks made of polymer materials would release microplastics after entering the environment. Current results showed that masks are a potential and easily overlooked source of environmental microplastics. The release amount of microplastics in the static water by one mask was 360 items, and with the increase of vibration rate, the release amount also increased. The addition of organic solvents (detergent and alcohol) in water would increase the release of microplastics from masks. When the mask became fragments, the ability to release microplastic fibers into the environment was greatly improved due to the increase of exposure area. After two months of natural weathering, the masks become very fragile pieces and microplastics. A fully weathered mask could release several billions of microplastic fibers into the aquatic environment once these fragile fragments enter the water without reservation. The rapid growth of mask production and consumption and improper disposable is worrying. It is urgent to understand the potential environmental risks and significance of masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maocai Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, PR China
| | - Biao Song
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Huan Yi
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Tong Hu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, PR China.
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