Elvis Genbo Xu/SDU
Recent studies estimate that we use an astounding 129 billion face masks globally every month - that is 3 million a minute. Most of them are disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers.
With increasing reports on inappropriate disposal of masks, it is urgent to recognize this potential environmental threat and prevent it from becoming the next plastic problem, researchers warn in a comment in the scientific journal
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering.
The researchers are Environmental Toxicologist Elvis Genbo Xu from University of Southern Denmark and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Zhiyong Jason Ren from Princeton University.
Three million face masks are discarded every minute as a result of mass adoption during the coronavirus pandemic, and experts warn it could soon lead to environmental catastrophe.
Face coverings are being worn by the majority of individuals around the world in order to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus which causes Covid-19.
However, they pose a greater risk to the environment than carrier bags because of their ubiquity and the fact there is no way to safely decontaminate and recycle them.
In an article published by the University of Southern Denmark, experts call the huge amount of face masks being worn and thrown away a ticking time bomb .
Face Masks a Ticking Plastic Bomb manufacturing.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from manufacturing.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Every minute of the day we throw away 3 million face masks. Many end up as potentially toxic micro- and nanoplastic or carriers for other toxicants in the environment, researchers warn.
9 things your guy is doing that are lowering his sperm count
When you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s time for him to re-evaluate these sperm-count-lowering habits that are interfering with your chances of conceiving.
We hate to hurt their egos, but modern
men’s sperm are coming up short. According to a 2017 study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, sperm counts among Western men have dropped more than 50 percent in the past 40 years. While scientists can’t pinpoint an exact explanation, studies have shown that certain lifestyle factors play a large role in a man’s sperm count. The good news is that, most of the time, those levels aren’t permanent.