Face masks as a source of nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment: Quantification, characterization, and potential for bioaccumulation

Billions of disposable face masks are consumed daily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of these masks as a source of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) in the environment has not been studied in previous studies. We quantified and characterized face mask released particles and evaluated their potential for accumulation in humans and marine organisms. More than one billion of NPs and MPs were released from each surgical or N95 face mask. These irregularly-shaped particles sized from c. 5 nm to c. 600 μm. But most of them were nano scale sized <1 μm. The middle layers of the masks had released more particles than the outer and inner layers. That MPs were detected in the nasal mucus of mask wearers suggests they can be inhaled while wearing a mask. Mask released particles also adsorbed onto diatom surfaces and were ingested by marine organisms of different trophic levels. This data is useful for assessing the health and environmental risks of face masks. The nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) released from face masks were detected both in human's nasal mucus and marine organisms. • Face masks can release large numbers of nanoplastics (NPs) microplastics (MPs). • The middle layers of the masks had more NPs than the outer and inner layers. • Mask MPs were detected in the nasal mucus of mask wearers suggests they can be inhaled while wearing a mask. • Mask NPs/MPs also adsorbed onto diatom surfaces and were ingested by marine organisms of different trophic levels. One sentence summary: Large numbers of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) were released from face masks, and they were detected both in human's nasal mucus and marine organisms.