COVID-19 pandemic repercussions on plastic and antiviral polymeric textile causing pollution on beaches and coasts of South America

Abstract

The propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has been alarming in the last months. According to recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of face masks is essential for slowing down the transmission rate of COVID-19 in human beings. This pandemic has generated a substantial increase in the use, as well as in the production, of face masks and other elements (gloves, face protectors, protective suits, safety shoes) manufactured with polymeric materials, including antiviral textiles most of which will end as microplastic pools. Focusing on South America, the use and mismanagement of this type of personal protective equipment (PPE) represents an environmental problem. Added to this issue are the increase in the use of single-use plastic, and the reduction of plastic recycling due to the curfew generated by the pandemic, further aggravating plastic pollution on coasts and beaches. Recently, researchers have developed antiviral polymeric textile technology composed of Ag and Cu nanoparticles for PPE to reduce the contagion and spread of COVID-19. Antiviral polymeric textile wastes could also have long-term negative repercussions on aquatic environments, as they are an important emerging class of contaminants. For this reason, this work provides reflections and perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic can aggravate plastic pollution on beaches and coastal environments, consequently increasing the damage to marine species in the coming years. In addition, the potential impact of the pandemic on waste management systems is discussed here, as well as future research directions to improve integrated coastal management strategies.

Keywords: Antiviral polymeric-textiles; COVID-19 pandemic; Plastic pollution; Single-use plastic; Waste management.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Waste related to the Covid-19 pandemic: (a) disposable medical face masks found on beaches at Colombia Port, Santa Martha, Colombia. (b) cloth masks found in the water intakes of Roble River aqueduct (Circasia, Quindío), Colombia. (c) disposable medical face masks, and wet wipes found on Amarilla beach in Antofagasta, and Papudo beaches in Santiago de Chile, Chile. (d) disposable medical face masks, medical waste containers, gloves, and face protector found on the Claromecó beaches, Bahía Blanca city and their natural reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and (e) disposable medical face masks and cloth mask found in the city of Imbituba, Santa Catarina in Brazil (all less than 700 m away the coast).