Author(s): Lyu L; Bagchi M; Ng KTW; Markoglou N; Chowdhury R; An C; Chen Z; Yang X;

The disposal of fossil fuel-based plastics poses a huge environmental challenge, leading to increased interest in biodegradable alternatives such as polylactic acid (PLA). This study focuses on the environmental impact and degradation of PLA face mask components under various conditions (UV (Ultraviolet) radiation, DI water, landfill leachate of various a ...

Article GUID: 39378804

Author(s): Lyu L; Bagchi M; Markoglou N; An C; Peng H; Bi H; Yang X; Sun H;

There has been a considerable increase in the use of face masks in the past years. Managing face mask waste has become a global concern, as the current waste management system is insufficient to deal with such a large quantity of solid waste. The drastic increase in quantity, along with the material's inability to degrade plastic components such as po ...

Article GUID: 37742382

Author(s): Lyu L; Peng H; An C; Sun H; Yang X; Bi H;

Mask waste can affect the natural environment and human health. In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of two types of face masks (Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polypropylene (PP)) was first performed to evaluate the environmental impacts from production to end-of-life, and then, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated for each life stage. The G ...

Article GUID: 37734618

Author(s): Sina Pourebrahimi

Billions of disposable face masks (i.e., single-use masks) are used and discarded worldwide monthly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The immethodical disposal of these polymer-based wastes containing non-biodegradable constituents (e.g., polypropylene) has provoked marked and severe damage to the ecosystem. Meanwhile, their ever-growing usage significantly s ...

Article GUID: 36055514