Release of micro/nanoplastics from face masks into the marine environment: Measurements and ecotoxicity

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic induced an unprecedented flow of single-use plastics, mostly in the form of face masks. As significant amounts of face masks reached coastal environments, concerns regarding the impacts were raised. The present chapter deals with the release of microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/PNPs), including the amount, characteristics, and analytical approaches, associated with face masks. Additionally, the current understanding of their ecotoxicological implications was summarized and discussed. Overall, face masks have been demonstrated to be a significant source of MPs/PNPs, with estimations reaching millions of particles released per mask, as well as growth-related sublethal effects on aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, some various uncertainties and questions remain unanswered.