Abundance, spatial distribution, and chemical characterization of face masks on the beaches of SE Kanyakumari, India.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a new world of waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this baseline study, the occurrence of PPE faces masks were assessed on the eleven beaches of Kanyakumari, India concerning the abundance, spatial distribution, and chemical characterization (ATR-FTIR spectroscopy). A total of 1593 items/m of PPE face masks and their mean density of 0.16 PPE/m, ranging from 0.02 to 0.54 PPE/m were determined in the study area. Kanyakumari beach (n = 430 items/m) has the highest concentration of masks (26.99 %), with a mean density of 0.54 m due to recreational, sewage disposal, and tourism activities. This is perhaps the most important study describing the scientific data that focuses on the significant effects of communal activities and accessibility on COVID-19 PPE face mask pollution. It also highlights the need for sufficient management facilities to optimize PPE disposal.