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The surge in face mask use due to COVID-19 has raised concerns about micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) from masks. Herein, focusing on fabric structure and polymer composition, we investigated MNP generation characteristics, mechanisms, and potential risks of surgical polypropylene (PP) and fashionable polyurethane (PU) masks during their wearing and photoaging based on stereomicroscope, μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Compared with new PP and PU masks (66 ± 16 MPs/PP-mask, 163 ± 83 MPs/PU-mask), single- and multiple-used masks exhibited remarkably increased MP type and abundance (600–1867 MPs/PP-mask, 607–2167 MPs/PU-mask). Disinfection exacerbated endogenous MP generation in masks, with washing (416 MPs/PP-mask, 30,708 MPs/PU-mask) being the most prominent compared to autoclaving (219 MPs/PP-mask, 553 MPs/PU-mask) and alcohol spray (162 MPs/PP-mask, 18,333 MPs/PU-mask). Photoaging led to massive generation of MPs (8.8 × 104–3.7 × 105 MPs/PP-layer, 1.0 × 105 MPs/PU-layer) and NPs (5.2 × 109–3.6 × 1013 NPs/PP-layer, 3.5 × 1012 NPs/PU-layer) from masks, presenting highly fabric structure-dependent aging modes as "fragmentation" for fine fiber-structure PP mask and "erosion" for 3D mesh-structure PU mask. The MNPs derived from PP/PU mask caused significant deformities of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. These findings underscore the potential adverse effects of masks on humans and aquatic organisms, advocating to enhance proper use and rational disposal for masks. [Display omitted] • New PU mask (163 MPs/mask) showed more MPs than new PP mask (66 MPs/mask). • Mask usage and disinfection exacerbated MP release from PP and PU masks. • PP mask generated more MPs and NPs than PU mask during photoaging. • Fabric structure and polymer composition determined mask aging modes and mechanisms. • PU and PP mask-derived MNPs caused serious deformities of the developing zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an inventive acetone-sensing device seamlessly integrated into a disposable face mask, enabling real-time continuous breath monitoring. The sensor demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, registering a response of 8.22 at 1 ppm and an impressive sensor response of 57.33 at 100 ppm of acetone concentration. Particularly noteworthy is the remarkable lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.076 ppm within the concentration range of 0.1–0.8 ppm, underscored by a robust R2 value of 0.994. To validate practicality, the Pd/WO 3 sensor was fabricated onto cellulose paper and utilized for real-time breath analysis, yielding a substantial sensor response of 1.70 at 8 vol% (equivalent to a single exhale breath volume). The unique design incorporates a built-in disposable face mask, facilitating dependable and convenient real-time breath analysis. Additionally, this research explores the profound impact of introducing acetone and Pd atoms on the energy levels and dipole moments. The species elucidated through density functional theory (DFT) investigations encompassing WO 3 , WO 3 -acetone, Pd-WO 3 , and Pd-WO 3 -acetone species. This work presents an innovative and cost-effective approach for developing a portable, non-invasive, and highly sensitive acetone-sensing device, effectively integrated into a disposable face mask for real-time breath analysis. This pioneering technology holds immense potential for various applications in healthcare and beyond. [Display omitted] • This Pd/WO 3 based device can measures continuous exhaling breath. • Hierarchical structure confirmed by scanning and tunneling electron microscopy. • Binding energy peaks corresponding to W6+ and Pd0 oxidation states were observed. • Cellulose paper based device was integrated with disposable face mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the COVID-19 outbreak, masks have become an essential part of people lives. Although several studies have been conducted to determine the release of hazardous substances from masks, how their co-presence poses a potential exposure risk to human health remains unexplored. In this study, we quantitatively compared the leaching of substances from six different common types of masks, including phthalate acid esters (PAEs), metals, and microplastics (MPs), and comprehensively evaluated the potential cytotoxicity of different leachates. MPs smaller than 3 µm were quantified by Py-GC-MS, and reusable masks showed greater releasing potentials up to 1504 µg/g. We also detected the prevalence of PAEs in masks, with the highest release reaching 42 μg/g, with dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) being the predominant types. Moreover, the antimicrobial cloth masks released 173.0 µg of Cu or 4.5 µg of Ag, representing 2.7% and 0.04% of the original masks, respectively. Our cell-based assay results demonstrated for the first time that mask leachate induced nuclear condensation with DNA damage, and simultaneously triggered high levels of glutathione and reactive oxidative stress production, which exacerbated mitochondrial fragmentation, eventually leading to cell death. Combined with substance identification and correlation analysis, PAEs were found to be the contributors to cytotoxicity. Masks containing Cu or Ag led to acidification of lysosomes and alkalinization of cells. These results strongly suggested that the levels of PAEs in the production of regulatory masks should be strictly controlled. [Display omitted] • Reusable masks showed great potentials of releasing microplastics. • PAEs were prevalent in masks with DBP, DiBP and DEHP being the predominant types. • Masks containing Cu or Ag led to alkalinization of lysosome and cellular acidification. • Mask leachate induced DNA damage and exacerbated mitochondrial fragmentation due to excess PAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional face masks that can effectively remove particulate matter and pathogens are critical to addressing the urgent health needs arising from industrial air pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most commercial masks are manufactured by tedious and complicated network-forming procedures (e.g., meltblowing and electrospinning). In addition, the materials used (e.g., polypropylene) have significant limitations such as a lack of pathogen inactivation and degradability, which can cause secondary infection and serious environmental concerns if discarded. Here, we present a facile and straightforward method for creating biodegradable and self-disinfecting masks based on collagen fiber networks. These masks not only provide superior protection against a wide range of hazardous substances in polluted air, but also address environmental concerns associated with waste disposal. Importantly, collagen fiber networks with naturally existing hierarchical microporous structures can be easily modified by tannic acid to improve its mechanical characteristics and enable the in situ production of silver nanoparticles. The resulting masks exhibit excellent antibacterial (>99.99%, 15 min) and antiviral (>99.999%, 15 min) capabilities, as well as high PM 2.5 removal efficiency (>99.9%, 30 s). We further demonstrate the integration of the mask into a wireless platform for respiratory monitoring. Therefore, the smart mask has enormous promise for combating air pollution and contagious viruses, managing personal health, and alleviating waste issues caused by commercial masks. [Display omitted] • Biodegradable collagen face masks reduce commercial mask waste. • Collagen's micro- and nano-porous structure efficiently removes PM 2.5. • Ag modification provides excellent antimicrobial abilities to the mask. • The collagen mask is integrated with a wireless respiratory monitoring platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the degradation behavior of three types of disposable face masks in simulated seawater via the accelerated aging experiments. Microplastics (MPs) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were monitored in UV- and thermal-treated mask suspensions and their concentrations increased slowly in the early stage at 50 ℃ and 58 ℃. Owing to the high energy supply, the release rates of MPs and DOC at 76 ℃ were much faster than the above two temperatures. The time-temperature superposition principle (TTSP) was used to superpose the MPs/DOC release kinetics from other tested temperatures to the reference temperature and its applicability was verified by the similar activation energy. Then, a release kinetics model was established and fitted well with the superposed MP data (R 2 ≥ 0.96). Since less than 0.1 % of carbon was leached, the superposed DOC data was roughly modelled by the exponential function (R 2 ≥ 0.90). According to the TTSP and the established kinetics models, about 15 years were estimated to decompose half of a certain marine mask waste, together with leaching 0.21 ± 0.02 mg∙g-mask−1 of DOC. If mask consumption remains the same before 2025, they would contribute 40000–230000 tonnes of MPs and 13–97 tonnes of DOC to the ocean by 2040. [Display omitted] • MPs and DOC were leached during face masks decomposition. • TTSP was suitable for predicting the lifetime of mask waste in ocean. • A new kinetics model was established to simulate the release of MPs as masks aging. • 15 years would be required to decompose half of marine mask waste into MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face masks are effective response to address this havoc pandemic caused by respiratory infection virus, but they are lack of reusable, antibacterial, and antiviral abilities due to their simple filtration mechanism, bringing to a supply shortage and severe plastic pollution globally. Herein, we designed reusable, antiviral, and antibacterial masks (referred to as R2A masks) that transformed from commonly-used standard masks and household fabrics based on the polyphenol-based surface functionalization. R2A nanocoatings are mainly composed of supramolecular complexation of natural polyphenols and metal ions, possessing a high performance of antibacterial property and comprehensive recyclability. Interfacial interaction of R2A nanocoating can effectively capture the spreading of particulate matters and aerosols containing virus-mimic nanoparticles even after 10 recycles. Moreover, R2A masks exist antibacteria and antivirus for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Collectively, this simple functional enhancement of masks provides a sustainable and strategic preparation for combating the infectious respiratory diseases. [Display omitted] • R2A mask is prepared with natural biocompatible polyphenol-based R2A nanocoatings showing regeneration ability. • R2A nanocoatings exhibit high performance on inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 and bacteria. • R2A mask enables an effectively capture of the aerosols even after 10 recycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face mask has become an essential and effective apparatus to protect human beings from air pollution, especially the air-borne pathogens. However, most commercial face masks can hardly achieve good particulate matters (PMs) and high bactericidal efficacy concurrently. Herein, a bilayer structured composite filter medium with built-in antimicrobial activities was constructed by combining cotton woven modified by magnetron sputtered Ag/Zn coatings and electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polystyrene (PVDF/PS) nanofibers. With the benefit of external moisture, an electrical stimulation was generated inside the composite fabric and thus endowed the fabric antimicrobial function. The resultant composite fabric presented conspicuous performance for integrated air pollution control, high filtration performance towards PM 0.3 (99.1%, 79.2 Pa) and exceptional interception ratio against Escherichia coli (99.64%) and Staphylococcus aureus (98.75%) within 20 min contact. The high efficiency contact sterilization function of the bilayer fabric could further potentially promote disinfection and reuse of the filter media. This work may provide a new perspective on designing high-performance face mask media for public health protection. [Display omitted] • A moisture electroactive bilayer structured filter medium was prepared. • The composite medium shows high PM 0.3 filtration efficiency and excellent antimicrobial activity. • The composite medium can capture and sterilize the pathogenic contaminants in the air effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical face masks are the most popularised and effective personal equipment for protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are composed of plastic polymer fibres with a large amount of inorganic and organic compounds that can be released into aquatic environments through degradation processes. This source of microplastics and inorganic and organic substances could potentially impact aquatic organisms. In this study, the toxicogenomic effects of face masks at different stages of degradation in water were analysed in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio) through RNA-Seq. Larvae were exposed for 10 days to three treatments: 1) face mask fragments in an initial stage of degradation (poorly degraded masks -PDM- products) with the corresponding water; 2) face mask fragments in an advanced stage of degradation (highly degraded masks -HDM- products) with the corresponding water; and 3) water derived from HDM (W-HDM). Transcriptome analyses revealed that the three treatments provoked the down-regulation of genes related to reproduction, especially the HDM products, suggesting that degradation products derived from face masks could act as endocrine disruptors. The affected genes are involved in different steps of reproduction, including gametogenesis, sperm-egg recognition and binding or fertilisation. Immune-related genes and metabolic processes were also differentially affected by the treatments. [Display omitted] • Surgical face masks (FMs) can be a source of emergent pollutants in aquatic systems. • The release of chemicals from FMs to water depends on their degradation stage. • RNA-Seq analysis of zebrafish larvae exposed to FM degradation products revealed alterations in the transcriptome profile. • FM degradation stage influenced the biological processes modulated in zebrafish. • FM degradation products strongly impacted the expression of reproduction-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Due to the high heat environment in foundry industries, it is difficult for foundry workers to wear masks during their workday. Thus, how to prevent inhaling vapour or the particulate phase of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is important for occupational hazard management. The present study assesses the characteristics of PAHs emission in foundry and plastic industries to evaluate the removal efficiencies of PAHs while workers use alternative personal protective equipment. The highest 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) level was found for workers who used a cotton-fabric face mask (1.19μg/g creatinine) and activated-carbon face mask (1.16μg/g creatinine), compared to a lower level in workers who wore a surgical face mask (0.27μg/g creatinine) and a N95 respirator (0.51μg/g creatinine). The urinary 1-OHP in end-of-shift samples correlated to the airborne vapour phase Bapeq, but not for the particulate phase Bapeq in the foundry industry. This is probably because workers wore personal protective equipment that only removed the particulate phase PAH. The current study suggests that future work focus on developing an appropriate and comfortable respirator with high removal efficiency for ultrafine particulates and vapour phase PAHs simultaneously in PAH work environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study assessed the composition of single-use face mask materials, quantified the concentration of phthalate esters in masks and evaluated associated inhalation exposure risk. All the mask samples, including 12 surgical and four N95/P1/P2 masks, were identified to be made of polypropylene, with polyethylene terephthalate present in the N95/P1/P2 masks. Di-methyl phthalate, di- n -butyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-isobutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were frequently detected and their concentration summed up 55 ± 35 ~ 1700 ± 140 ng per surgical mask and 2300 ± 150 ~ 5200 ± 800 ng per N95/P1/P2 mask. Our simulation experiment suggested a mean loss of 13 – 71% of phthalate mass depending on compounds, during 5-hour wearing of these masks. This resulted in an estimated daily intake of individual compounds no higher than 20 ng/kg/day for adults and 120 ng/kg/day for toddlers, which were at least 80 times lower compared to relevant tolerable daily intake values. Two interventional trials were conducted where a volunteer wore a mask for four hours and urine samples were collected before and after the mask wearing. No obvious increase was observed for the urinary concentration of any phthalate metabolite, indicating minimal contribution to overall exposure to phthalate esters. [Display omitted] • Single-use face masks generally composed of polypropylene. • Phthalate concentrations in face masks were quantified. • DnBP and DEHP were the greatest contributors to the summed phthalates. • Exposure to phthalates via mask wearing was quantified but risk is low per each use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face masks are necessary for fighting against the coronavirus disease 2019 around the world. As the face mask is usually made from polymers and phthalates are widely-used additives into the polymers, the face mask could be a potential source of phthalate exposure to humans. However, limited knowledge is available on the occurrence and risks of the phthalates from the face mask. In this study, twelve phthalates were determined in 56 mask samples collected from different countries. The phthalates were detected in all the samples with total levels ranging from 115 ng/g to 37,700 ng/g. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the phthalates from the masks ranged from 3.71 to 639 ng/kg-bw/day, and the EDIs of the phthalates from masks for toddlers were approximately 4–5 times higher than those for adults. Non-carcinogenic risks in relation to the phthalates in masks were found to be within safe levels, yet 89.3% of the mask samples exhibited potential carcinogenic effects to humans. The extent of the risks for wearing masks located at a moderate level comparing with other skin-contacted products. This study unveiled a potential source of phthalate exposure to human, and indicated necessity of managing types and levels of additives in the face masks. [Display omitted] • Levels of phthalates in face masks from five countries were analyzed. • EDIs of phthalates from masks for toddler were higher than those for adult. • 89.3% of the mask samples exhibited potential carcinogenic effects to humans [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, used face masks have increasingly littered the environment and are causes for concern since they are commonly made of plastics such as polypropylene. Understanding production of microplastics from face masks is essential for predicting the post COVID-19 pandemic impact on the soil ecosystem. We investigated the generation of nanofibers from meltblown face mask filters (MB filters) and their adverse effects on soil species, particularly the earthworm and springtail. Results of MB filter soil bioassays at a high concentration (1000 mg/kg dry soil) suggest inhibited reproduction and stunted growth in springtails, decreased intracellular esterase activity in earthworm coelomocytes, and inhibited spermatogenesis in male earthworm reproductive tissues. Moreover, it was estimated that generation of nanofibers from microfibers and fragments of MB filters might occur in the soil ecosystem post COVID-19. This study does not oppose the use of face masks but aims to encourage appropriate disposal of the masks. Preservation of human health and the ecosystem should be prioritized even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. [Display omitted] • Fibers and fragments derived from MB filters in face masks were investigated. • Biofragmentation of microplastics derived from face masks could be generated. • Inappropriately discarded face masks caused adverse effects to soil invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]