Greenpeace warns against ‘emerging’ pollution from discarded masks, gloves

As it grapples with the COVID -19 crisis, Quebec faces new environmental threat in the form of disposable masks, Greenpeace says.

The environmental group issued its warning Tuesday just as the Legault government recommended “very strongly” that face masks be worn, and even considered making their use mandatory under certain conditions.

Premier François Legault has promised to provide Montreal with one million masks, and the government has spent $6 million for the purchase of masks for use on public transit.

Legault has said Quebec would need “tens of millions” of masks.

However, discarded masks and gloves are already polluting the streets in the Montreal area, said Agnès Le Rouzic of Greenpeace Canada.

The items, which are neither recyclable nor biodegradable — and are potentially contaminated — could wind up in sewer systems and waterways, she said.

Calculating one person using an average of three masks daily, Le Rouzic said this new form of “emerging” pollution risks adding to the problem of single-use plastics finding their way into the water system.

“We’re in the process of aggravating the problem,” Le Rouzic said. “I have the impression we’re going to have to start over again from zero.”

Quebec should be encouraging the wearing of reusable masks, Greenpeace says.

The group notes it is not trying to “demonize” single-use masks in the middle of a pandemic, but instead is warning about the risks to the environment.

The organization is also concerned by overpackaging in grocery stores and warns against thinking that plastic is a “hygienic” substance.

Greenpeace cites studies in the United Kingdom and Germany that found viruses can remain viable longer on plastic surfaces.