Worldwide, 12 billion masks are used every month since the Corona epidemic

New York, March 30, 2021, Tuesday

Face masks have become an integral part of the Corona epidemic over the past year. Face masks, which are considered to be epidemic symbols, are also thrown away like plastic, making waste masks dangerous to health and the environment. It is not known how many disposable masks have been safely disposed of during the epidemic so far, but according to one study, 12 billion masks are used in 1 month and 3 million in 1 minute.

In epidemics most face masks are made of plastic microfiber. Experts have warned that if the mask is not disposed of properly, it could become a major environmental problem. Just like plastics, disposable masks can spread harmful substances, biological substances such as bisphenol A, as well as pathogenic microorganisms into the atmosphere. This research information was provided by Jiaong Jason Ren, an environmental poison scientist at the University of Denmark. Disposable masks are produced in abundance like plastic bottles but cannot be easily destroyed.

Particles of micro-plastic and nano-plastic can break down and spread in the air. Usually particles smaller than 1 micrometer are called nanoplastics. Researchers believe that nanoparticles in masks can disperse faster than plastic particles. Some types of plastic in plastic bottles can be recycled but no special research has been done on the recycling of masks. The days are not far away when waste masks, like other plastic waste, can be found as disposable on landfills or in the oceans, in a situation where they cannot be recycled sustainably. Micrometers of micro-shaped plastic fibers are used to make new masks. Thus, the nano-plastic in the mask has become a new source of pollution. Experts believe that there is a need to emphasize the production of biodegradable masks against the increasing production of masks.

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