Abstract
Occurrences of microplastics (plastic particle < 5 mm) have been observed in various environmental media (e.g., soil, water and air) worldwide, posing a threat to ecological, human, and animal health. Microplastics could also serve as vectors which transport toxic hydrophobic organic compounds around the globe and negatively affect the environmental quality. This paper analyzes the possible link between airborne microplastics from waste that are contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, measures for controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in airborne microplastics were discussed. Our study indicates that precautionary action regarding the management of contaminated plastic waste should be considered in order to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through airborne microplastic.
Highlights
Occurrences of microplastics have been observed in various environmental media worldwide, posing a threat to ecological, human, and animal health
Subsequent research has shown that the COVID-19 infection is spread in the community via respiratory transmission, as well as touching surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and Aerosol and Air Quality Research | https://aaqr.org transferring the virus to the mouth, nose, and eyes (Kraemer et al, 2020)
On the basis of direct evidence for the role of environmental factors in the spreading of COVID-19, this study aims to discuss the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through airborne microplastics, and the associated mitigation measures
Summary
Occurrences of microplastics (plastic particle < 5 mm) have been observed in various environmental media (e.g., soil, water and air) worldwide, posing a threat to ecological, human, and animal health. Social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks and gloves, are the effective strategies to prevent contact with coronavirus (Hale and Song, 2020; Kraemer et al, 2020) These measures have been demonstrated as effective for reducing the transmission, as well as the economic and health impacts, of COVID-19 on a global scale (Morawska and Cao, 2020; Prather et al, 2020). On the basis of direct evidence for the role of environmental factors in the spreading of COVID-19, this study aims to discuss the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through airborne microplastics, and the associated mitigation measures
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