‘High levels of pollutants’ found in disposable masks
SWANSEA-BASED scientists have uncovered potentially dangerous chemical pollutants that are released from disposable face masks when submerged in water.
The research by Swansea University reveals high levels of pollutants – including lead, antimony, and copper – within the silicon-based and plastic fibres of common disposable face masks.
However, those involved in the study have stressed that people should continue to wear masks given the devastating consequences of not wearing them during this pandemic.
Project lead Dr Sarper Sarp, of Swansea University College of Engineering, is now calling for more research and regulation on mask manufacture.
He said: “All of us need to keep wearing masks as they are essential in ending the pandemic. But we also urgently need more research and regulation on mask production so we as the substances can reduce any risks to the found have known links to environment and human cell death, genotoxicity health.” and cancer formation.
Outlined in a recent To combat this, the paper, the tests carried out team advise further by the research team used research and subsequent a variety of masks - from regulations be put in place standard plain face masks in the manufacturing and to novelty and festive testing process. masks for children with Dr Sarp explained: many currently being sold “The production of disposable in UK retail outlets. plastic face masks
The rise in single-use (DPFS) in China alone has masks, and the associated reached approximately waste, due to the Covid-19 200 million a day in a pandemic has been documented global effort to tackle the as a new cause of spread of the new SARSCOV-2 pollution. The study virus. However, aimed to explore this improper and unregulated direct link with investigations disposal of these to identify the level DPFS is a plastic pollution of toxic substances present. problem we are already facing and will only continue
The findings reveal significant to intensify. levels of pollutants “There is a concerning in all the masks tested amount of evidence - with micro/nano particles that suggests that DPFS and heavy metals waste can potentially released into the water have a substantial environmental during all tests. impact by
Researchers conclude releasing pollutants simply this will have a substantial by exposing them to environmental impact water. Many of the and, in addition, raise the toxic pollutants question of the potential found in damage to public health, our warning that repeated research exposure could be hazardous have bio-accumulative properties when released into the environment and our findings show that DPFS could be one of the main sources of these environmental contaminants during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is therefore, imperative that stricter regulations need to be enforced during manufacturing and disposal/recycling of DPFS to minimise the environmental impact.”
“One of the main concerns with these particles is that they were easily detached from face masks and leached into the water with no agitation, which suggests that these particles are mechanically unstable and readily available to be detached,” he added.
“Therefore a full investigation is necessary to determine the quantities and potential impacts of these particles leaching into the environment, and the levels being inhaled by users during normal breathing.”
The work is supported by the Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (Impact) and the Specific Innovation and Knowledge Centre.
The research team includes Professor Trystan Watson, Dr Javier Delgado Gallardo and Dr Geraint Sullivan.
The Impact operation is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and Swansea
University.