TY - JOUR
T1 - An ecotoxicological perspective of microplastics released by face masks
AU - Cabrejos-Cardeña, Urpi
AU - De-la-Torre, Gabriel Enrique
AU - Dobaradaran, Sina
AU - Rangabhashiyam, Selvasembian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2023/2/5
Y1 - 2023/2/5
N2 - The accelerated use, massive disposal, and contamination with face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have raised new questions regarding their negative impact on the environment emerged. One major concern is whether microplastics (MPs) derived from face masks (FMPs) represent an important ecotoxicological hazard. Here, we discussed the shortcomings, loose ends, and considerations of the current literature investigating the ecotoxicological effects of FMPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Overall, there are multiple uncertainties regarding the true impact of FMPs at a certain concentration due to the presence of uncontrolled or unknown degradation products, such as MPs of various size ranges even nano-sized (<1 µm) and chemical additives. It is apparent that FMPs may induce endocrine-disrupting and behavioral effects in different organisms. However, the results of FMPs should be carefully interpreted, as these cannot be extrapolated at a global scale, by taking into account a number of criteria such as face mask manufacturers, providers, consumer preferences, and type of face masks. Considering these uncertainties, it is still not possible to estimate the contribution of face masks to the already existing MP issue.
AB - The accelerated use, massive disposal, and contamination with face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have raised new questions regarding their negative impact on the environment emerged. One major concern is whether microplastics (MPs) derived from face masks (FMPs) represent an important ecotoxicological hazard. Here, we discussed the shortcomings, loose ends, and considerations of the current literature investigating the ecotoxicological effects of FMPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Overall, there are multiple uncertainties regarding the true impact of FMPs at a certain concentration due to the presence of uncontrolled or unknown degradation products, such as MPs of various size ranges even nano-sized (<1 µm) and chemical additives. It is apparent that FMPs may induce endocrine-disrupting and behavioral effects in different organisms. However, the results of FMPs should be carefully interpreted, as these cannot be extrapolated at a global scale, by taking into account a number of criteria such as face mask manufacturers, providers, consumer preferences, and type of face masks. Considering these uncertainties, it is still not possible to estimate the contribution of face masks to the already existing MP issue.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Nanoplastics
KW - Personal protective equipment
KW - Polypropylene
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85140805497&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/d17fafd7-fd64-39b0-ac99-18f1d52dd812/
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130273
DO - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130273
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 36327849
AN - SCOPUS:85140805497
SN - 0304-3894
VL - 443
SP - 130273
JO - Journal of Hazardous Materials
JF - Journal of Hazardous Materials
M1 - 130273
ER -