Corona Masks Endanger the Environment and Animals
Billions of discarded corona masks are putting a strain on the environment and becoming a deadly trap for wildlife, birds, and marine creatures.
Protective masks are considered an indispensable weapon against the transmission of the virus during the pandemic.
Carelessly discarded corona face masks pose a serious problem for the environment and animals. This is what researchers at the University of Portsmouth have found. For a study published this week in the journal «Nature Sustainability», the scientists examined the relationship between corona measures in eleven countries — including Germany and the United Kingdom — and the quantity of carelessly disposed of corona masks and other protective equipment.
To do so, they analysed data from publicly accessible databases, including data from the litter-tracking app Litterati, and examined the period from September 2019 through the first six months of the pandemic.
From March to October 2020, the number of improperly disposed of masks increased by a factor of 84. The United Kingdom topped the negative rankings. There, masks accounted for more than 5% of all carelessly discarded waste — the highest share in international comparison. While other countries also saw an increase in improperly disposed of protective gloves and cleaning wipes, in Germany only the volume of mask litter in public spaces increased significantly.
Environmental Catastrophe from Mask Waste
«It was no surprise that many discarded masks had appeared, but what surprised us was seeing how strongly certain national corona measures had influenced the appearance of the masks», wrote lead researcher Keiron Roberts. The researchers found that while the litter problem grew slowly during the stricter lockdown phases in spring 2020, it only became truly significant once more travel and social activities became possible again in summer and autumn, while masks remained mandatory.
Steve Fletcher, a plastics expert from the University of Portsmouth, warned: "Without better disposal, we are heading for an environmental catastrophe." Most masks are made from durable plastic and could persist in the environment for decades or even centuries. This could allow microplastics to enter soil or water, and animals could choke on the masks. Researchers from Portsmouth called on governments to provide better public guidance on how protective masks should be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
