Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, Kaptai Highway, Raozan, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Department of Electrical& Electronic Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, Kaptai Highway, Raozan, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Jul;168:112419. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112419. Epub 2021 Apr 24.
Face masks are playing an essential role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Face masks such as N95, and surgical masks, contain a considerable portion of non-recyclable plastic material. Marine plastic pollution is likely to increase due to the rapid use and improper dispensing of face masks, but until now, no extensive quantitative estimation exists for coastal regions. Linking behaviour dataset on face mask usage and solid waste management dataset, this study estimates annual face mask utilization and plastic pollution from mismanaged face masks in coastal regions of 46 countries. It is estimated that approximately 0.15 million tons to 0.39 million tons of plastic debris could end up in global oceans within a year. With lower waste management facilities, the number of plastic debris entering the ocean will rise. Significant investments are required from global communities in improving the waste management facilities for better disposal of masks and solid waste.
口罩在防止 COVID-19 传播方面发挥着重要作用。N95 口罩和外科口罩等口罩含有相当一部分不可回收的塑料材料。由于口罩的快速使用和不当处理，海洋塑料污染可能会增加，但到目前为止，还没有对沿海地区进行广泛的定量估计。本研究通过将口罩使用行为数据集与固体废物管理数据集联系起来，估计了 46 个沿海国家每年因管理不善而丢弃的口罩的使用量和塑料污染。据估计，在一年内，约有 15 万至 39 万吨塑料碎片可能最终进入全球海洋。由于废物管理设施较低，进入海洋的塑料碎片数量将会增加。全球社会需要大量投资来改善废物管理设施，以便更好地处理口罩和固体废物。
