Biodegradation of Polypropylene By Pseudomonas Aeruginosaisolated From Wastewater Associated Soil; A Potential Method To Eliminate The Plastic Pollution To Save Ecosystem

Abstract The face mask introduction in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation, one of the precautionary measure to reduce the rate of transmission of infection from person to person. There are many type of of face masks enter into our global market with various size and designs. Among those, surgical mask belongs to secure an important place and this aimed to evaluate the degrading efficiency disposable face masks (single use face masks). The present study dealt with, biodegradation of face masks which is made of polypropylene with the help of bacterial strainPesudomonasaeruginosaisolated from the plastic waste dumping sites in an around the Tiruchirappalli, India. The bacteriacould degrade PP mask via the formation of biofilm on a solid medium. To degrade the PP, the mask pieces were incubated with the culture of P. aeruginosain three different solid and liquid medium (nutrient agar, Bushnell Haas agar and mineral salt medium) for 30 days at 37ᵒC. The microbial degradation(up to 33% of weight reduction of PP films within 30 days) was proved by surface changes along with the variation in the intensity of functional groups as well as carbonyl index variations using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. These results suggested that P.aeruginosa strain can prove to be a suitable candidate for polypropylene mask biodegradation without causing any impairment to our health or environment.

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Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution

10.21203/rs.3.rs-216309/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ceyhun Akarsu ◽

Özgecan MADENLİ ◽

Ece Ümmü DEVECİ

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Solid Waste Management ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Face Mask ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

The Face ◽

Single Use ◽

Industrial Use

Abstract In recent studies, many reports on the environmental effects of microplastic pollution have been presented. Countries across the world have already started carrying out studies on the restrictions of the industrial use of microplastics based on these reports. Many non-governmental organizations try to clean the existing microplastics from the oceans using their resources. However, a new source of microplastics has started to be released into nature as a result of the single-use face masks that protect us against the spread of COVID-19 and are being thrown onto the streets and into seas and nature. Before the pandemic, it was reported that more than 300 million microplastics were discharged from the province of Mersin to the eastern Mediterranean. This number will inevitably increase if not managed correctly. A mass balance needs to be studied for the correct management of waste. This study aims to estimate the amount of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, thereby expressing our concerns about waste management and plastic pollution, and calling on appropriate solid waste management policies and governments to take the necessary measures to formulate their strategies at all levels.

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Waste generation as a side impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Communication on correct disposal of single-use face masks

10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor-.ppqn0qp.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Débora Tomaszewski

Keyword(s):

Face Mask ◽

Side Impact ◽

Waste Generation ◽

Visual Aids ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Global Spread ◽

Single Use ◽

Regional Authorities ◽

Primary Measure

The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to urgent efforts to contain and mitigate transmission. The useof face masks became a primary measure to limit the spread, which increased the production and consequentwaste generation. It is estimated that globally 129 billion single-use face masks are discharged into the environment every month. Besides to add to already great concerns over plastic pollution, contaminated face masks not properly handled also poses a health risk. The health and environmental consequences caused by the inadequate disposal of single-use face masks are treated in this study as an eminent risk to be properly communicated. This study framed the waste generation as a side impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and analysed how the communication has been made regarding the correct disposal of single-use masks, with focus in users of public transport in Stockholm region. National and regional authorities are recognized as the main responsibles for the communication about correct disposal, together with manufacturers and suppliers of single-use face masks. Disclosure and informative material of four government authorities and instruction manuals of eight brands of single-use face masks are analysed according to: i) presence / absence of information (about the disposal); ii) type of communication (visual or written); iii) message transmitted and; ix) availability in other languages.It was found guidance about correct disposal of face mask in two thirds of the existing communication, that is mainly written and with few visual aids. Half of communication is made only in Swedish and with no sufficient focus on the importance of correct disposal neither with reference to trash bins with lid. It suggests that the current communication about how to disposesingle-use masks safelymay not be enough, which is affecting the perception of risk by the population and worsening the health and environmental consequencescaused by the inadequate disposal.

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Waste generation as a side impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Communication on correct disposal of single-use face masks

10.22541/au.161826821.17963320/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Débora Tomaszewski

Keyword(s):

Face Mask ◽

Side Impact ◽

Waste Generation ◽

Visual Aids ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Environmental Consequences ◽

Global Spread ◽

Single Use ◽

Regional Authorities ◽

Primary Measure

The rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to urgent efforts to contain and mitigate transmission. The use of face masks became a primary measure to limit the spread, which increased the production and consequent waste generation. It is estimated that globally 129 billion single-use face masks are discharged into the environment every month. Besides to add to already great concerns over plastic pollution, contaminated face masks not properly handled also poses a health risk. The health and environmental consequences caused by the inadequate disposal of single-use face masks are treated in this study as an eminent risk to be properly communicated. This study framed the waste generation as a side impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and analysed how the communication has been made regarding the correct disposal of single-use masks, with focus in users of public transport in Stockholm region. National and regional authorities are recognized as the main responsibles for the communication about correct disposal, together with manufacturers and suppliers of single-use face masks. Disclosure and informative material of four government authorities and instruction manuals of eight brands of single-use face masks are analysed according to: i) presence / absence of information (about the disposal); ii) type of communication (visual or written); iii) message transmitted and; ix) availability in other languages. It was found guidance about correct disposal of face mask in two thirds of the existing communication, that is mainly written and with few visual aids. Half of communication is made only in Swedish and with no sufficient focus on the importance of correct disposal neither with reference to trash bins with lid. It suggests that the current communication about how to dispose single-use masks safely may not be enough, which is affecting the perception of risk by the population and worsening the health and environmental consequences caused by the inadequate disposal.

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Extensions of the Pseudo-Potential Method

10.1093/oso/9780199592357.003.0028 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Sauro Succi

Keyword(s):

Potential Method ◽

Original Model ◽

Original Formulation ◽

The Face ◽

Pseudo Potential

This chapter provides an account of subsequent extensions of the Shan-Chen pseudo-potential method, including more elaborated potentials which extend beyond the first Brillouin cell. These extensions permit us to lift a number of limitations of the original model and considerably expand its scope and range of applications. In Chapter 27, a variety of LB techniques for nonideal fluids have been discussed. As usual, each method comes with its ups and downs, but actual evidence shows that the Shan–Chen (SC) model has enjoyed increasing popularity over the years. Interestingly, such popularity stands in the face of a fair amount of substantial criticism. In this chapter, first the Shan–Chen model is revisited in some more detail along with a discussion of ways out of the above criticism. Subsequently, the extension of the SC technique to the case of multi-range potentials extending beyond the first Brillouin cell is discussed. This extension proves pretty effective in softening many of the weaknesses of the original formulation, thereby considerably expanding its scope and range of applications.

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Examining the interplay between face mask usage, asymptomatic transmission, and social distancing on the spread of COVID-19

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94960-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Adam Catching ◽

Sara Capponi ◽

Ming Te Yeh ◽

Simone Bianco ◽

Raul Andino

Keyword(s):

Social Distance ◽

Large Fraction ◽

Real Life ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Face Mask ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Viral Spread ◽

The Face ◽

Asymptomatic Individuals ◽

High Virus

AbstractCOVID-19’s high virus transmission rates have caused a pandemic that is exacerbated by the high rates of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections. These factors suggest that face masks and social distance could be paramount in containing the pandemic. We examined the efficacy of each measure and the combination of both measures using an agent-based model within a closed space that approximated real-life interactions. By explicitly considering different fractions of asymptomatic individuals, as well as a realistic hypothesis of face masks protection during inhaling and exhaling, our simulations demonstrate that a synergistic use of face masks and social distancing is the most effective intervention to curb the infection spread. To control the pandemic, our models suggest that high adherence to social distance is necessary to curb the spread of the disease, and that wearing face masks provides optimal protection even if only a small portion of the population comply with social distance. Finally, the face mask effectiveness in curbing the viral spread is not reduced if a large fraction of population is asymptomatic. Our findings have important implications for policies that dictate the reopening of social gatherings.

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Effects of Face Mask Use on Objective and Subjective Measures of Thermoregulation During Exercise in the Heat

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/19417381211028212 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194173812110282

Author(s):

Ayami Yoshihara ◽

Erin E. Dierickx ◽

Gabrielle J. Brewer ◽

Yasuki Sekiguchi ◽

Rebecca L. Stearns ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Intensity ◽

Thermal Sensation ◽

Face Mask ◽

Whole Body ◽

Moderate Exercise ◽

Physically Active ◽

Time Points ◽

The Face ◽

And Control ◽

Moderate Exercise Intensity

Background: While increased face mask use has helped reduce COVID-19 transmission, there have been concerns about its influence on thermoregulation during exercise in the heat, but consistent, evidence-based recommendations are lacking. Hypothesis: No physiological differences would exist during low-to-moderate exercise intensity in the heat between trials with and without face masks, but perceptual sensations could vary. Study Design: Crossover study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: Twelve physically active participants (8 male, 4 female; age = 24 ± 3 years) completed 4 face mask trials and 1 control trial (no mask) in the heat (32.3°C ± 0.04°C; 54.4% ± 0.7% relative humidity [RH]). The protocol was 60 minutes of walking and jogging between 35% and 60% of relative VO2max. Rectal temperature (Trec), heart rate (HR), temperature and humidity inside and outside of the face mask (Tmicro_in, Tmicro_out, RHmicro_in, RHmicro_out) and perceptual variables (rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, thirst sensation, fatigue level, and overall breathing discomfort) were monitored throughout all trials. Results: Mean Trec and HR increased at 30- and 60-minute time points compared with 0-minute time points, but no difference existed between face mask trials and control trials ( P > 0.05). Mean Tmicro_in, RHmicro_in, and humidity difference inside and outside of the face mask (ΔRHmicro) were significantly different between face mask trials ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in perceptual variables between face mask trials and control trials ( P > 0.05), except overall breathing discomfort ( P < 0.01). Higher RHmicro_in, RPE, and thermal sensation significantly predicted higher overall breathing discomfort ( r2 = 0.418; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Face mask use during 60 minutes of low-to-moderate exercise intensity in the heat did not significantly affect Trec or HR. Although face mask use may affect overall breathing discomfort due to the changes in the face mask microenvironment, face mask use itself did not cause an increase in whole body thermal stress. Clinical Relevance: Face mask use is feasible and safe during exercise in the heat, at low-to-moderate exercise intensities, for physically active, healthy individuals.

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Effect of Mouth Mask and Face Shield on Speech Spectrum in Slovak Language

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11114829 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 4829

Author(s):

Vojtech Chmelík ◽

Daniel Urbán ◽

Lukáš Zelem ◽

Monika Rychtáriková

Keyword(s):

Speech Intelligibility ◽

Face Mask ◽

Suprasternal Notch ◽

Lombard Effect ◽

Slavic Languages ◽

Female Speech ◽

The Face ◽

Frequency Components ◽

Acoustic Filtering ◽

Filtering Effect

In this paper, with the aim of assessing the deterioration of speech intelligibility caused by a speaker wearing a mask, different face masks (surgical masks, FFP2 mask, homemade textile-based protection and two kinds of plastic shields) are compared in terms of their acoustic filtering effect, measured by placing the mask on an artificial head/mouth simulator. For investigating the additional effects on the speaker’s vocal output, speech was also recorded while people were reading a text when wearing a mask, and without a mask. In order to discriminate between effects of acoustic filtering by the mask and mask-induced effects of vocal output changes, the latter was monitored by measuring vibrations at the suprasternal notch, using an attached accelerometer. It was found that when wearing a mask, people tend to slightly increase their voice level, while when wearing plastic face shield, they reduce their vocal power. Unlike the Lombard effect, no significant change was found in the spectral content. All face mask and face shields attenuate frequencies above 1–2 kHz. In addition, plastic shields also increase frequency components to around 800 Hz, due to resonances occurring between the face and the shield. Finally, special attention was given to the Slavic languages, in particular Slovak, which contain a large variety of sibilants. Male and female speech, as well as texts with and without sibilants, was compared.

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Antibacterial and In Vivo Studies of a Green, One-Pot Preparation of Copper/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Coated Bandages

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes11070462 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 462

Author(s):

Archana R. Deokar ◽

Ilana Perelshtein ◽

Melissa Saibene ◽

Nina Perkas ◽

Paride Mantecca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zinc Oxide ◽

Metal Oxide ◽

Ultrasound Irradiation ◽

Face Mask ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

One Pot ◽

The Face ◽

Bulk Scale ◽

Particle Size And Shape

Simultaneous water and ethanol-based synthesis and coating of copper and zinc oxide (CuO/ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on bandages was carried out by ultrasound irradiation. High resolution-transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the effects of the solvent on the particle size and shape of metal oxide NPs. An antibacterial activity study of metal-oxide-coated bandages was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). CuO NP-coated bandages made from both water and ethanol demonstrated complete killing of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria within 30 min., whereas ZnO NP-coated bandages demonstrated five-log reductions in viability for both kinds of bacteria after 60 min of interaction. Further, the antibacterial mechanism of CuO/ZnO NP-coated bandages is proposed here based on electron spin resonance studies. Nanotoxicology investigations were conducted via in vivo examinations of the effect of the metal-oxide bandages on frog embryos (teratogenesis assay—Xenopus). The results show that water-based coatings resulted in lesser impacts on embryo development than the ethanol-based ones. These bandages should therefore be considered safer than the ethanol-based ones. The comparison between the toxicity of the metal oxide NPs prepared in water and ethanol is of great importance, because water will replace ethanol for bulk scale synthesis of metal oxide NPs in commercial companies to avoid further ignition problems. The novelty and importance of this manuscript is avoiding the ethanol in the typical water:ethanol mixture as the solvent for the preparation of metal oxide NPs. Ethanol is ignitable, and commercial companies are trying the evade its use. This is especially important these days, as the face mask produced by sonochemistry (SONOMASK) is being sold all over the world by SONOVIA, and it is coated with ZnO.

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Attitudinal and behavioural segments on single-use plastics in Ghana: Implications for reducing marine plastic pollution

Environmental Challenges ◽

10.1016/j.envc.2021.100185 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100185

Author(s):

Dr Issahaku Adam ◽

Dr Tony R. Walker ◽

Dr Andrea Clayton ◽

Dr Joana Carlos Bezerra

Keyword(s):

Plastic Pollution ◽

Single Use

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IoT and Deep Learning Based Approach for Rapid Screening and Face Mask Detection for Infection Spread Control of COVID-19

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11083495 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 3495

Author(s):

Shabir Hussain ◽

Yang Yu ◽

Muhammad Ayoub ◽

Akmal Khan ◽

Rukhshanda Rehman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Deep Learning ◽

Low Cost ◽

Face Mask ◽

World Health ◽

Rapid Screening ◽

Screening System ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

The Face ◽

Health Organization ◽

Vaccine Distribution

The spread of COVID-19 has been taken on pandemic magnitudes and has already spread over 200 countries in a few months. In this time of emergency of COVID-19, especially when there is still a need to follow the precautions and developed vaccines are not available to all the developing countries in the first phase of vaccine distribution, the virus is spreading rapidly through direct and indirect contacts. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides the standard recommendations on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the importance of face masks for protection from the virus. The excessive use of manual disinfection systems has also become a source of infection. That is why this research aims to design and develop a low-cost, rapid, scalable, and effective virus spread control and screening system to minimize the chances and risk of spread of COVID-19. We proposed an IoT-based Smart Screening and Disinfection Walkthrough Gate (SSDWG) for all public places entrance. The SSDWG is designed to do rapid screening, including temperature measuring using a contact-free sensor and storing the record of the suspected individual for further control and monitoring. Our proposed IoT-based screening system also implemented real-time deep learning models for face mask detection and classification. This module classified individuals who wear the face mask properly, improperly, and without a face mask using VGG-16, MobileNetV2, Inception v3, ResNet-50, and CNN using a transfer learning approach. We achieved the highest accuracy of 99.81% while using VGG-16 and the second highest accuracy of 99.6% using MobileNetV2 in the mask detection and classification module. We also implemented classification to classify the types of face masks worn by the individuals, either N-95 or surgical masks. We also compared the results of our proposed system with state-of-the-art methods, and we highly suggested that our system could be used to prevent the spread of local transmission and reduce the chances of human carriers of COVID-19.

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