Analysis of Marine Microplastic Pollution of Disposable Masks under COVID-19 Epidemic—A DPSIR Framework

Ge Song, Hu Cao, Lanyi Liu and Min Jin ()
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Ge Song: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100872, China
Hu Cao: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100872, China
Lanyi Liu: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100872, China
Min Jin: School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100872, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Marine microplastic pollution (MMP) is becoming one of the most pressing environmental problems facing humanity today. The novel coronavirus epidemic has raised the issue of environmental contamination caused by large-scale improper disposal of medical waste such as disposable masks (DMs). To assess the impact of MMP caused by DMs and to seek solutions for the prevention and control of MMP, this study uses the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to establish a causal chain of MMP caused by DMs. The conclusion shows that the novel coronavirus epidemic has led to a surge in the use of DMs, which has brought pressure on resource constraints and environmental pollution at the same time. Improperly DMs enter the environment and eventually transform into MMP, which not only endangers the marine ecological system but also poses potential human health risks as well as economic and social hazards. In addition, further research on environmentally friendly masks (cloth masks and biodegradable masks) is essential to mitigate the environmental damage caused by the large-scale global use of DMs. This study provides a scientific and theoretical basis for the assessment of MMP from discarded DMs, and the findings of this study will provide a reference for the formulation of relevant policies.

Keywords: marine microplastic pollution (MMP); disposable masks (DMs); COVID-19 pandemic; DPSIR framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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