How can it affect the environment? 

It is usual to find face masks lying in the streets, rivers, public spaces, on buses, and everywhere. It is estimated that a mask takes 300 to 400 years to disintegrate. Therefore, it greatly harms the environment in various ways and alters the ecosystem of animal life. 

For example, many birds get trapped in the rubber bands of the masks, putting their lives at risk. Other animals mistake them for food and try to eat them; others use them to form their nest because of their softness. Masks that are discarded in the sea fall apart and are ingested by animals, causing damage to their organisms. 

The masks are composed of celluloses and several layers of plastic called polypropylene, which polymerizes and forms fibers that intertwine to form the mask filter. When discarded anywhere, they break down and become microplastics that can be ingested throughout the food chain. The extent to which microplastics may come into contact with the ecosystem is unknown.  

Which species are most affected?

Irresponsible disposal of masks harms all organisms in an ecosystem because they constantly interact with each other. However, a large part of the masks and other toxic waste end up in the seas and oceans as rivers carry them there, and they do not return anywhere. As a result, marine animals are the most affected, from fish to turtles to marine mammals.  These animals perceive them as food and can be intoxicated or suffocated by the elastic on the masks. 

Terrestrial animals are also harmed, mainly birds that tend to entangle their beaks, legs, or necks and endanger their lives either by suffocation or become easy prey for other animals. 

How should masks be disposed of? 

The first thing to do is to cut the rubber bands so that the animals do not get entangled in them, even suffocating. Then, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs recommends disposing of the masks in the gray bin (waste fraction) since this is the waste that is not reused and is not disposed of in the recyclable material containers. 

These are simple actions that are within the reach of any person but that have a great impact on the environment and animal care.  

The International Iberoamerican University (UNIB) offers studies related to the environment, such as the Master in Environmental Management and Audits. 

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Source: Irresponsible dumping of face masks increases environmental contamination.