The presence of face masks on beaches contributes to the increase of marine pollution caused by microplastics
Keywords:
Ecotoxicology, Microplastics, Plastic, PollutionAbstract
Face masks are made of synthetic microfibers that, when improperly discarded, pollute marine ecosystems and cause serious harm to the organisms that inhabit them. It is estimated that a single face mask can release up to 173,000 microfibers into the sea each day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexico ranked as the third country in the Americas with the highest use of face masks, which increases the potential environmental impact of this type of waste. Consequently, it is possible to estimate the enormous number of microfibers that reach aquatic environments—such as seas, rivers, lakes, and lagoons—due to their massive use and inadequate disposal. Several scientific studies have shown that these microfibers negatively affect the health of aquatic organisms, altering their digestive and reproductive systems and, as a result, disrupting the ecological balance of marine ecosystems.
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