Release of tens of thousands of microfibers from discarded face masks under simulated environmental conditions

Wu，Pengfei1,2; Li，Jiangpeng1,3; Lu，Xiao1,3; Tang，Yuanyuan1,3; Cai，Zongwei2

2022-02-01

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150458

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT   影响因子和分区

0048-9697

1879-1026

While mechanical abrasion by water and sediment is a primary and critical step in weathering process, the upsurge of discarded face masks will undoubtedly become a potential source of micro-/nanofibers owing to the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. However, effects of mechanical abrasion on discarded face masks have neither been seriously addressed nor understood. Therefore, we conducted a simulated experiment to explore abundance, size distribution and morphology of microfibers released from common, surgical and face filtering piece (FFP) masks after mechanical abrasion. Technologies such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used. Results showed that the abundance of released microfibers followed order of surgical > common > FFP in both water and sediment environments, and the maximum abundance reached 272 ± 12.49 items per square centimeter of mask (items·cm) after sediment abrasion. Taking surgical mask for further investigation, the length of released fiber was observed to vary from 47.78 μm to 3.93 mm, and 72.41–89.58% of the total number of released microfibers fell in the range of 0.1–1 mm. However, microfibers with a very small length (1–100 μm) can occupy 0.09–13.59% of the total number of released fibers in sediment environment. The roughness of fiber surface after sediment abrasion was successively increased. Furthermore, the morphology analysis showed significant changes with countless cracks and many prominent protrusions on fiber surface after sediment abrasion. The cracks and protrusions may further accelerate mask decomposition, thereby potentially resulting in the adsorption of other contaminants and the release of self-containing chemicals. This study provides a valuable database of microfibers released from discarded face masks at the primary but critical stage, and further contributes knowledge on environmental impact of discarded personal protective equipment due to COVID-19.

Confocal microscopy COVID-19 Face masks Mechanical abrasion Microfiber release

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)[41977329,22106130] ; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province[2021B1515020041] ; Special Funds for the Cultivation of Guangdong College Students' Scientific and Technological Innovation[pdjh2021c0038]

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Environmental Sciences

WOS:000709720900005

ELSEVIER

20214010987359

Abrasion ; Confocal microscopy ; Environmental impact ; Erosion ; Fibers ; Fluorescence microscopy ; Morphology ; Protective clothing ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Sediments ; Weathering

Environmental Impact and Protection:454.2 ; Medicine and Pharmacology:461.6 ; Soil Mechanics and Foundations:483 ; Optical Devices and Systems:741.3 ; Laser Applications:744.9 ; Accidents and Accident Prevention:914.1 ; Physical Properties of Gases, Liquids and Solids:931.2 ; Quantum Theory; Quantum Mechanics:931.4 ; Optical Instruments:941.3 ; Materials Science:951

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

2-s2.0-85116396474

Scopus

1.State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis,Department of Chemistry,Hong Kong Baptist University,China
3.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China

Wu，Pengfei,Li，Jiangpeng,Lu，Xiao,et al. Release of tens of thousands of microfibers from discarded face masks under simulated environmental conditions[J]. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT,2022,806.

Wu，Pengfei,Li，Jiangpeng,Lu，Xiao,Tang，Yuanyuan,&Cai，Zongwei.(2022).Release of tens of thousands of microfibers from discarded face masks under simulated environmental conditions.SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT,806.

Wu，Pengfei,et al."Release of tens of thousands of microfibers from discarded face masks under simulated environmental conditions".SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 806(2022).