Facemask: Protection or threat?. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morales, Ilah Dianne G.; Macusi, Edison D.; Jondonero, Manuel Anthony P.; Guihawan, Jaime Q.; Bacosa, Hernando P.; Amparado, Ruben F.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 188(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Beaches -- COVID-19 pandemic -- Davao Oriental -- Mati City -- Personal protective equipment (PPE); Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114681
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Facemasks were widely used as a protection against SARS-COV-2, which significantly reduced COVID-19 transmission during the pandemic. However, concerns have been raised regarding its adverse impacts on human health due to intense use and mismanagement. Although rampant plastic littering was the norm before the pandemic, the magnitude of the problem is worsening as potentially COVID-19-infected facemasks are thrown along the shoreline. This study assessed the discarded facemasks on the most popular beach destinations in Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines. A total of N = 284 discarded facemasks were found in a cumulative area of 22, 500 m 2, with an average density of 8.4 × 10 −4 items/m 2 . The surgical facemask (82 %; n = 234) was the most abundant type of facemask found in the areas, followed by KF94 (16 %; n = 45) and KN95 (2 %; n = 5). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in the visual counts of facemasks on the three beaches ( p < 0.05). Highlights: The first study to provide a visual distribution of discarded facemasks along the beachline in the Philippines. Facemask wastes have been dumped higher up on the beach. Collected facemasks were primarily surgical facemasks. Evidence of poor waste facemask handling and management.