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Zhao X, Gao P, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Sun H, Liu C. Microplastics release from face masks: Characteristics, influential factors, and potential risks. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171090. [PMID: 38387585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been used popularly and disposed of improperly, leading to the generation of a large amount of microplastics. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive insight into the characteristics of mask-derived microplastics, the influential factors of microplastics release, and the potential risks of these microplastics to the environment and organisms. Mask-derived microplastics were predominantly transparent fibers, with a length of <1 mm. The release of microplastics from masks is mainly influenced by mask types, use habits, and weathering conditions. Under the same conditions, surgical masks release more microplastics than other types of masks. Long-term wearing of masks and the disinfection for reuse can promote the release of microplastics. Environmental media, UV irradiation, temperature, pH value, and mechanical shear can also influence the microplastics release. The risks of mask-derived microplastics to human health via inhalation cannot be neglected. Future studies should pay more attention to the release of microplastics from the masks with alternative materials and under more weathering conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Panpan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ziqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yinghong Wu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin 300011, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chunguang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Plohl O, Kokol V, Filipić A, Fric K, Kogovšek P, Fratnik ZP, Vesel A, Kurečič M, Robič J, Gradišnik L, Maver U, Zemljič LF. Screen-printing of chitosan and cationised cellulose nanofibril coatings for integration into functional face masks with potential antiviral activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 236:123951. [PMID: 36898451 PMCID: PMC9995302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Masks proved to be necessary protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they provided a physical barrier rather than inactivating viruses, increasing the risk of cross-infection. In this study, high-molecular weight chitosan and cationised cellulose nanofibrils were screen-printed individually or as a mixture onto the inner surface of the first polypropylene (PP) layer. First, biopolymers were evaluated by various physicochemical methods for their suitability for screen-printing and antiviral activity. Second, the effect of the coatings was evaluated by analysing the morphology, surface chemistry, charge of the modified PP layer, air permeability, water-vapour retention, add-on, contact angle, antiviral activity against the model virus phi6 and cytotoxicity. Finally, the functional PP layers were integrated into face masks, and resulting masks were tested for wettability, air permeability, and viral filtration efficiency (VFE). Air permeability was reduced for modified PP layers (43 % reduction for kat-CNF) and face masks (52 % reduction of kat-CNF layer). The antiviral potential of the modified PP layers against phi6 showed inhibition of 0.08 to 0.97 log (pH 7.5) and cytotoxicity assay showed cell viability above 70 %. VFE of the masks remained the same (~99.9 %), even after applying the biopolymers, confirming that these masks provided high level of protection against viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivija Plohl
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Vanja Kokol
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Arijana Filipić
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Katja Fric
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Polona Kogovšek
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Zdenka Peršin Fratnik
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Alenka Vesel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Surface Engineering and Optoelectronics, Teslova 30, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Manja Kurečič
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Jure Robič
- Omega Air d.o.o Ljubljana, Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Lidija Gradišnik
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Uroš Maver
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
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Mallakpour S, Behranvand V, Hussain CM. Worldwide fight against COVID-19 using nanotechnology, polymer science, and 3D printing technology. Polym Bull (Berl) 2023; 80:165-83. [PMID: 35106016 DOI: 10.1007/s00289-021-04006-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
One of the lethal illnesses that humanity has ever seen is COVID-19 irrefutably. The speed of virus spread is high and happens through polluted surfaces, respiratory droplets, and bodily fluids. It was found that without an efficient vaccine or specific treatment using personal protective equipment, preventing contamination of hands, and social distancing are the best ways to stay safe during the present pandemic. In this line, polymers, nanotechnology, and additive manufacturing, or 3D printing technology have been considered to probe, sense, and treat COVID-19. All aforementioned fields showed undeniable roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, which their contributions have been reviewed here. Finally, the effect of COVID-19 on the environment, alongside its positive and negative effects has been mentioned.
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Joseph J, Baby HM, Zhao S, Li X, Cheung K, Swain K, Agus E, Ranganathan S, Gao J, Luo JN, Joshi N. Role of bioaerosol in virus transmission and material-based countermeasures. Exploration (Beijing) 2022; 2:20210038. [PMID: 37324804 PMCID: PMC10190935 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20210038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory pathogens transmit primarily through particles such as droplets and aerosols. Although often overlooked, the resuspension of settled droplets is also a key facilitator of disease transmission. In this review, we discuss the three main mechanisms of aerosol generation: direct generation such as coughing and sneezing, indirect generation such as medical procedures, and resuspension of settled droplets and aerosols. The size of particles and environmental factors influence their airborne lifetime and ability to cause infection. Specifically, humidity and temperature are key factors controlling the evaporation of suspended droplets, consequently affecting the duration in which particles remain airborne. We also suggest material-based approaches for effective prevention of disease transmission. These approaches include electrostatically charged virucidal agents and surface coatings, which have been shown to be highly effective in deactivating and reducing resuspension of pathogen-laden aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Joseph
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Helna Mary Baby
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Spencer Zhao
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Xiang‐Ling Li
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Krisco‐Cheuk Cheung
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kabir Swain
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Eli Agus
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sruthi Ranganathan
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jingjing Gao
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - James N Luo
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of SurgeryBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nitin Joshi
- Center for Nanomedicine, Department of AnesthesiologyPerioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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He J, Waring M, Fridman A, Rabinovich A, Bailey C, Fridman G, Sales CM. Plasma-generated reactive water mist for disinfection of N95 respirators laden with MS2 and T4 bacteriophage viruses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19944. [PMID: 36402800 PMCID: PMC9675796 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23660-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest and demand for sterilization devices to reuse PPE has increased. For reuse of face masks, they must be effectively decontaminated of potential infectious agents without compromising its filtration ability during sterilization. In this study, we utilized an atmospheric pressure pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), combined with nebulized liquid microdroplets to generate plasma-activated mist (PAM). MS2 and T4 bacteriophages were used to conduct the decontamination tests on two types of N95 respirators. Results showed at least a 2-log reduction of MS2 and T4 on N95 respirators treated in one cycle with 7.8% hydrogen peroxide PAM and at least a 3-log reduction treated in 10% hydrogen peroxide PAM. In addition, it was found that there was no significant degradation in filtration efficiency of N95 respirators (3M 1860 and 1804) treated in 10% hydrogen peroxide PAM found after 20 cycles. In terms of re-useability of masks after treatment as determined, it was shown that the elastic straps of 3M 1804 were fragmented after 20 treatment cycles rendering them unusable, while the straps of 3M 1860 were not negatively affected even after 20 disinfection cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjie He
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ USA
| | - Michael Waring
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Alexander Fridman
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ USA ,grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113 Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Alexander Rabinovich
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ USA ,grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113 Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher M. Sales
- grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.166341.70000 0001 2181 3113C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Camden, NJ USA
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