Dear editor,
COVID-19 is a multi-system illness that develops from the novel
SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first outbreak of the disease occurred in Wuhan,
China, in late 2019. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO)
declared COVID-19 a pandemic and many governments around the world
introduced a number of restrictions on their populations to control the
spread of the virus. These restrictions included business and school
closures, lockdowns, social distancing, and the wearing of masks and
other personal protective equipment (PPE). Meanwhile, many commercial
and industrial sectors have been significantly impacted by
government-imposed directives to halt COVID-19’s spread. Hospital wastes
and municipal solid wastes are included in the affected sectors, as the
amount of solid wastes being generated as a result of pandemic-related
measures has increased astronomically, with hospitals in particular
contributing to the large boost in solid waste generation.
Pandemic-related wastes include discarded PPE items such as masks,
gloves, gowns, eye protectors and face shields, as well as items used in
the testing and treatment of the disease, such as surgical instruments,
needles, and medications 1, 2. In response to the
pandemic, many countries and districts have imposed various rules on the
general public to reduce the spread of the virus without taking into
account the increase in medical waste that these directives will cause.
The most common of the “new normal” rules includes wearing face masks
and visors in closed areas such as public transportation and shops. More
recently, wearing non-surgical masks has become mandatory in a number of
cities and countries around the world as a way to limit the spread of
COVID-19. Masks are presented to the public as an excellent tool to
protect human health and reduce disease transmission among the
population. Although different types of face masks offer different
levels of protection, all of them eventually contribute to landfill
waste and are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The main aim of this letter is to study the impact on human health of
the various inks used in masks. Because most authorities have imposed
the wearing of face masks without any norms, the choice of masks depends
on the person. Individuals are free to choose any method to make their
masks and to write on them whatever slogan they wish. In the market,
many masks with different colors and slogans have appeared for sale. For
masks as for any other fabric, color is applied for the main purpose of
making the mask more aesthetically appealing. However, many dyes present
varying degrees of environmental hazards, despite their continued use in
inks, textiles, printing, and other applications. Most commercially
available masks are made from layers of plastics, whose negative impact
on both human health and the environment is well-known. In addition to
the toxic content of plastics, textile dyeing is a major source of
pollution and is not only toxic but also persistent3-6. Furthermore, the impact of different paints and
inks on human health is rarely, if ever, taken in account when choosing
a mask 4-7. As is known, different paints and inks are
composed of a range of chemical compounds, including volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) as chemical elements. The effect of VOCs on human
health has been extensively documented in the literature8, 9. Another consideration is that aerodynamic
parameters can affect the emission of VOCs, as certain VOCs are emitted
at ambient air temperature. The number of studies focusing on the
reduction of VOC content produced by inks has increased lately due to
heightened environmental awareness 10. Benzene
toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene (BTEX), which is one of the most
prevalent chemical compounds emitted by landfills, is also a VOC.
According to several researchers 11-17, BTEX is
considered a carcinogenic substance that is well-known for its ability
to deteriorate human health 16, 17. Individually, both
benzene and ethyl-benzene are carcinogens as well, affecting the nervous
system, while toluene and xylene can damage the nervous and reproductive
systems. The main organs affected by these carcinogenic compounds are
the lungs, liver, and kidneys. According to a recent scientific study,
people working in printing and inking occupations are considered at high
risk for developing illnesses. Workers in these industries typically
suffer from chronic ailments such as headaches, dizziness, skin damage,
and respiratory failure. The inks causing the health issues are composed
of numerus organic solvents, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, isopropyl
alcohol, and others. Even for the short-term, respiratory and skin
exposure to these chemical elements (such as occurs during daily mask
wearing) can lead to the development of skin, respiratory,
cardiovascular and eye diseases and may even cause cancer.
As a recommendation to lessen the negative effects of mask wearing, the
mask should not have any written slogans on its surface. In fact,
writing on face masks should be forbidden. Further, dyes should be
selected according to internationally accepted industry standards to
protect human health and the environment. An international consensus
concerning face mask colors based on their impact on human health should
be investigated and determined. Certain dyes are toxic and persistent
and have both short- and long-term negative impacts on human health,
fauna, and flora. Finally, governments and authorities should encourage
people to use their masks one time only and then properly dispose of
them as medical waste.
Acknowledgments: The author of this paper thanks specially the
Deanship of scientific research at University of Tabuk and my scientific
collaborators.
Funding: This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific
Research at University of Tabuk [Grant number S-0048-1441].