Have you ever been walking down the street and noticed disposable masks littering the streets? This has become a major issue even in rural towns.
A study from the University of Plymouth discovered a 9,000% increase in littered face masks. Across only 11 counties some two million masks were collected during the investigation.
Those who conducted the study are inclined to believe that pollution caused by the improper discarding of these masks may last hundreds of years.
The study tracked mask disposal using the Covid-19 Government Response Tracker database and a litter collection app called Litterati and was based on its March – October 2020 reports. It was originally published in the journal of Nature Sustainability.
“The majority of masks are manufactured from long-lasting plastic materials, and if discarded can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. This means they can have a number of impacts on the environment and people.” Said Professor Steve Fletcher from Plymouth.
The buck doesn’t stop at pollution, researchers actually believe that used and discarded face masks can act as a form of transmission for the virus. The waste can also block sewers, and harm animal life.
When the masks are left out in public, someone is responsible for cleaning them up. This person is susceptible to catching anything the wearer may have been carrying. The discarded masks are also capable of spreading the virus in various other ways, as they contain bodily fluids like saliva oftentimes.
The hypocritical left-wing is a fly on fruit when it comes to fossil fuel pollution, but will gladly leave their plastic masks in a ditch without a second thought.
