How Covid face masks are slowly poisoning you even years after the pandemic
Disposable face masks used during the Covid pandemic may be leeching toxic microplastics into the ground and water, making their way into the human body, a study suggests.
Numerous studies have been conducted to try and estimate mask usage during the Covid-19 pandemic.
One study analyzing face mask usage estimated that based on population and assumed acceptance rate of disposable masks, 1.2trillion disposable masks were added to the environment globally from December 2019 to May 2021.
Face masks are made from plastics like polypropylene and take 450 years to completely decompose, recent research shows.
This has left many of them sitting in landfills, littering beaches and oceans and exposing animals, sea life and crops to harmful contaminants.
To find out the true toll face masks are taking on the human body, researchers in the UK left newly bought masks sitting in purified water for about 24 hours before analyzing them to see what seeped out.
They found that even though the masks had not been worn, they released microplastic particles and chemical additives into the water.
And masks with filters released three to four times more microplastics than standard surgical masks.
Researchers in the UK found disposable masks may leach dangerous microplastics
The researchers warned single-use masks are generally disposed of in landfills or on beaches, where they could harm wildlife (stock image)
Microplastics are tiny particles about the width of a human hair that leach into food, water and even the air
They then enter the body and circulate via the blood, accumulating in our organs. Studies have linked the toxins to heart disease, dementia and several forms of cancer.
In face masks, microplastic exposure is largely due to polypropylene, a durable plastic also found in food packaging, cookware, automotive parts and even some children’s toys.
While one of the safer microplastics, polypropylene has still been linked to asthma and allergic reactions.
Experts estimate that during the height of the pandemic, 129billion disposable masks were being used every month around the world.
And between March and September 2020, the US government had distributed about 600million masks across the country as part of its pandemic response measures.
A 2021 study found Asia used the most masks at the height of the pandemic with a staggering 1.8billion compared to 244million in the US. China in particular discarded more than 500million pieces of face masks and shields every day at that time.
Though face mask usage has largely declined in the US after the pandemic, some states have toyed with the idea of bringing mandates back amid newer Covid variants.
A 2021 study showed Asia had the most disposable mask usage during the height of the pandemic
The above map shows the amount of masks discarded every day per country. China topped the list
The researchers, from Coventry University in the UK, warned that most masks have ended up in a landfill or littered in streets, parks and beaches, where they have started to degrade.
This could cause the microplastics to leach into the environment.
Dr Anna Bogush, study co-author and associate professor of the university’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, said: ‘This study has underlined the urgent need to rethink how we produce, use and dispose of face masks.
‘We can’t ignore the environmental cost of single-use masks, especially when we know that the microplastics and chemicals they release can negatively affect both people and ecosystems.’
In fact, a 2024 study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that microplastics released from masks account for about three percent of marine microplastics emissions.
However, those researchers still emphasized that masks ‘are still an important tool for people to protect themselves against virus infections.’
The above graphic shows how single-use masks leach microplastics into the environment
Microplastics are miniscule pieces of plastic that seep into food, water, and the air from products like non-stick pans, clothes, and children’s toys (stock image)
The study, originally published last year in the journal Environmental Pollution and having since resurfaced, looked at surgical masks and disposable masks with filters.
The masks were placed in beakers with 150 milliliters (five fluid ounces) of purified water and left there undisturbed for 24 hours.
Along with polypropylene, the researchers found the masks shed polyester, nylon and PVC, especially in filtering facepieces. They warned that because these materials do not easily break down, they can accumulate in the environment.
The team also found the masks released chemicals including bisphenol B, a known endocrine disruptor shown to cause hormone imbalances and infertility.
Taking into account the total amount of single-use masks produced during the height of the pandemic, the researchers estimated they released 128 to 214 kilograms (282 to 472 pounds) of bisphenol B into the environment.
Dr Bogush said: ‘As we move forward, it’s vital that we raise awareness of these risks, support the development of more sustainable alternatives and make informed choices to protect our health and the environment.’
Nearly all humans are exposed to microplastics every day, and they have been found in nearly every organ, including the heart, lungs and brain.
As they accumulate in organs, they have been shown to lead to respiratory issues, changes in the gut microbiome, blood vessel damage, heart disease, infertility and dementia.
