Mask littering increases plastic pollution and infections
THERE was 91 times more litter from face masks recorded in the first seven months of the pandemic, creating plastic pollution that could last hundreds of years and potentially increasing the spread of coronavirus, according to a study.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth are urging the Government to launch legislation to prevent PPE littering after two million items were collected across 11 countries.
They warn that discarded face masks can act as a vector to spread Covid and cause infrastructure problems such as blocking sewers. In addition, face masks can pose a threat to animals, which can choke on them or suffer problems if they eat them. The waste can also damage plant life.
And in the long term, the researchers warn that dropped face masks can help transmit pollutants as well as becoming microplastics that enter the food chain.
Dr Keiron Roberts, the lead researcher, said: “There is a clear need to ensure that requiring the use of these items is accompanied with education campaigns to limit their release into the environment.”
Prof Steve Fletcher added: “Despite millions of people being told to use face masks, little guidance was given on how to dispose of them or recycle them safely. Without better disposal practices, an environmental disaster is looming. The majority of masks are manufactured from long-lasting plastic materials, and if discarded can persist in the environment for decades to hundreds of years. This means they can have a number of impacts on the environment and people.”
The study was based on findings from two open-source databases: the extensive Covid-19 Government Response Tracker and a litter collection app called Litterati.
The data showed that more than two million pieces of litter were collected across 11 countries, which between them had differing Covid policies.
Using these databases, the researchers were able to map each policy response to the pandemic to gain a baseline of litter measurements from Sept 2019 through the first six months of the lockdown.
A Defra spokesman said: “Our priority is rightly to protect public health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but this does not dilute our existing commitments to tackling single-use plastics and combating litter.
“It is vital we all dispose of our waste – including face coverings and other PPE – in the correct manner. Face coverings should be disposed of in normal waste bins.”
The findings were published in the journal Nature Sustainability.