The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world in ways no one could have ever imagined. Apart from lockdowns, social distancing, and vaccines, one of the most evident changes was the rise of the face mask. For months, they became part of our identity, hanging on our ears, tucked into pockets, or just having an ‘extra mask’ in your car, they became a part of our daily lives. It did help us in keeping ourselves safe from the deadly Covid-19 virus but now it is affecting our environment.
Masks that once saved millions of lives are now turning into an environmental and health hazard, leaving behind what experts are calling a ‘chemical timebomb.’
Masks releasing microplastics
When Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak, an estimated 129 billion disposable masks were being used worldwide every month. Made primarily from plastics such as polypropylene, these masks were cheap, effective, and designed for single use. But what no one anticipated was the massive waste problem they would leave behind.
With no proper recycling system in place, most of these masks ended up in landfills, streets, rivers, and oceans. They are now releasing dangerous particles and chemicals into the environment, a problem scientists say could last for generations.
The study that raised the alarm
A new study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, reveals how dangerous discarded masks can be. Led by Anna Bogush of Coventry University’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, the research tested different types of masks to see how they degrade in water.
The results were alarming. Every single mask tested released microplastics. The gold-standard protective masks, FFP2 and FFP3, shed the highest amounts, releasing four to six times more plastic particles than standard surgical masks.
These microplastics, many smaller than 100 micrometres, are tiny enough to enter food chains, be ingested by animals, and even enter human bodies through water and food.
A hidden chemical risk
The researchers also found another dangerous side effect. Along with plastics, the masks leached bisphenol B (BPB), a chemical known to disrupt hormones by mimicking estrogen. Endocrine disruptors like BPB have been linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and long-term health risks in both humans and wildlife.
The study estimated that, during the pandemic, disposable masks may have already released 128 to 214 kilograms of BPB into the environment. That’s on top of the trillions of microplastic particles spreading silently across ecosystems.
Protecting us then, harming us now
What makes the findings particularly worrying is the irony that the equipment which was used to protect human health during a crisis could now be contributing to new health and environmental challenges.
“We can’t ignore the environmental cost of single-use masks, especially when we know that the microplastics and chemicals they release can negatively affect both people and ecosystems,” said Bogush.
What needs to be done
Experts are calling for urgent measures, from raising awareness about the risks of disposable masks to investing in sustainable alternatives. They also explain the importance of better waste management systems to prevent billions more masks from polluting land and water.