Impact of face mask microplastics pollution on the aquatic environment and aquaculture organisms

Jeremiah Olanipekun Jimoh and Sharifah Rahmah and Suhairi Mazelan and Mohamad Jalilah and John Bunmi Olasunkanmi and Leong, Seng Lim and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and Yu, Mei Chang and Kesaven Bhubalan and Hon, Jung Liew (2022) Impact of face mask microplastics pollution on the aquatic environment and aquaculture organisms. Environmental Pollution, 317. pp. 1-10. ISSN 0269-7491

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Abstract

Microplastic pollution in our environment, especially water bodies is an emerging threat to food security and human health. Inevitably, the outbreak of Covid-19 has necessitated the constant use of face masks made from polymers such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyester which eventually will disintegrate into microplastic particles. They can be broken down into microplastics by the weathering action of UV radiation from the sun, heat, or ocean wave-current and precipitate in natural environments. The global adoption of face masks as a preventive measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 has made the safe management of wastes from it cumbersome. Microplastics gain access into aquaculture facilities through water sources and food including planktons. The negative impacts of microplastics on aquaculture cannot be overemphasized. The impacts includes low growth rates of animals, hindered reproductive functions, neurotoxicity, low feeding habit, oxidative stress, reduced metabolic rate, and increased mortality rate among aquatic organisms. With these, there is every tendency of microplastic pollution to negatively impact fish production through aquaculture if the menace is not curbed. It is therefore recommended that biodegradable materials rather than plastics to be considered in the production of face mask while recycle of already produced ones should be encouraged to reduce waste.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Microplastics, Aquaculture organism, Covid-19, Crustacean, Face masks,Fish Food safety
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD1-1066 Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD201-500 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes > TD419-428 Water pollution
Department:	INSTITUTE > Borneo Marine Research Institute
Depositing User:	DG MASNIAH AHMAD -
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2023 10:07
Last Modified:	14 Sep 2023 10:07
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/36803

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