Crores Of Carelessly Discarded Covid Masks Have Turned Into ‘Time Bombs’, Says Study

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 18:18 IST

A study revealed that discarded face masks, especially FFP2 and FFP3, release microplastics and Bisphenol B, posing long-term health and environmental risks after Covid-19 pandemic

A global mask usage during the pandemic peaked at nearly 12,900 crore per month. (PTI Photo)

Face masks, once hailed as the frontline defence against Covid-19, are now emerging as a serious threat to human health and the environment. A new study has revealed that the billions of disposable masks discarded during the pandemic are releasing hazardous chemicals and microplastics, creating what experts are calling “chemical time bombs”.

According to The Guardian, global mask usage during the pandemic peaked at nearly 12,900 crore per month. While masks played a critical role in curbing the spread of infection, their disposal proved deeply problematic. With no robust system in place, millions of masks made their way into landfills, parks, rivers, seashores, and rural landscapes, eventually breaking down into microplastics and releasing toxic substances.

Researchers from the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) at Coventry University in the UK tested various masks by immersing them in pure water for 24 hours. Their findings showed that all masks released microplastics, with FFP2 and FFP3 – the same high-grade masks once considered the most effective against the virus – discharging four to six times more particles than others.

The study further revealed that the size of these particles ranged from 10 micrometres to 2082 micrometres, with smaller ones under 100 micrometres found most frequently. Such particles are particularly dangerous as they can enter the human body, infiltrate ecosystems, and trigger long-term health complications.

Another alarming discovery was the release of Bisphenol B, a chemical known to disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking estrogen. This substance has been associated with cancer and other hormonal imbalances in both humans and animals. Researchers estimate that between 128 and 214 kilogrammes of Bisphenol B were released into the environment through discarded masks during the pandemic.

Lead author of the study, Anna Bogush, emphasised the urgent need for responsible production, use, and disposal of masks. “Now we have to produce, use and dispose of face masks thoughtfully. We have to find alternatives that are safe for the environment and can be recycled,” she said, underscoring the importance of raising public awareness about this looming threat.

Experts warn that what once shielded humanity from a viral crisis has now turned into a slow-moving environmental disaster. With microplastics and chemical pollutants infiltrating ecosystems, the consequences may span generations if urgent action is not taken.

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Author: News18