Fate of the face masks in the environment affect human and wildlife: tons of face masks are new source for the endocrine disrupting chemicals

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health problem affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide including Africa. Since there is no effective vaccine or treatment, self-isolation and self-protection are the only options to stop the spread of the virus. Usage of the surgical and other face masks are must during COVID-19 pandemic and millions of used masks are accumulating as trash in the environment every day worldwide. Face masks are made of plastic materials mainly polypropylene which is categorized as endocrine disruptor affecting both humans and wildlife. Contamination of face masks to soil, oceans, sea and air may have increased the amount of microplastics concentration and these microplastics from the face masks may have various negative effects on the environment. Therefore, accurate elimination and collection of used face masks from the environment should be considered to protect our world.