Generation of environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs) enhances ecotoxicological effects of the disposable face mask waste with the COVID-19 pandemic. (15th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Ze; Wang, Jianqun; Yang, Xuetong; Huang, Qian'en; Zhu, Kecheng; Sun, Yajiao; Van Hulle, Stijn; Jia, Hanzhong
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 301(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-15
• Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic -- Plastic face masks (DPFs) -- Leachate -- Microplastics (MPs) -- Heavy metals -- Health risk -- Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs); Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: A large amount of disposable plastic face masks (DPFs) is produced and used during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which results in an inevitable consequence of the dramatic increase of DPFs waste. However, the impact of DPFs exposure to the environment on their toxicity is rarely considered. In this study, a range of 76–276 items/L microplastics (MPs) was detected in the DPFs leachates, and fibrous ( > 80.3%) and polypropylene (PP, > 89.2%) MPs were dominant. Co, Cu, Ni, Sr, Ti and Zn, were commonly detected in all leachates of the tested DPFs. Organics, such as acetophenone, 2, 4-Di-tert-butylphenol, benzothiazole, bisphenol-A and phthalide, were found in the DPFs leachate, which were including organic solvents and plasticizer. Besides, we first found an emerging environmental risk substance, namely environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), was generated in the DPFs leachates. The characteristic g-factors of the EPFRs was in a range of 2.003–2.004, identified as mixture of carbon- and oxygen-centered radicals. By means of in vitro toxicity assay, the DPFs leachate were confirmed to cause cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Significantly, it is found that the formed EPFRs could contribute more toxic effects. Furthermore, when compared to N95 respirators, the tested surgical masks tend to release more MPs, leach more metals and organics, and generate more EPFRs. Surgical masks were thus showed higher risk than N95 respirators after exposure to water. This work highlights the importance of understanding the chemical complexity and possible toxicity of DPFs for their risk assessment. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Environmentally persistent free radicals are first identified in face mask leachate. Disposable plastic face masks cause in vitro toxicity after exposing to water. Surgical mask shows higher risk than N95 respirator from the perspective of radicals.