Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon from open burning of disposable COVID-19 facemask: Spatial distribution and risk assessment

Abstract

The use of facemasks as a preventive measure against infection of the COVID-19 virus has some associated environmental impacts, especially in Subs-Saharan African countries where the used facemasks are being disposed of using open burning. Hence this study characterized Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions from different COVID-19 facemask materials and determined the associated risk of open burning of facemask. Facemasks of different materials were sourced from open dump sites. Each material was combusted in an open reactor and the emissions were collected using A filter-sorbent sampling system. Analysis of PAHs in the sample was carried out using GCMS. The associated health risk was assessed using Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) and Hazard Quotient (HQ). The result showed the concentration of PAHs emission ranged ∑ PAHs 73.33 –368.16 µg/m3 while carcinogenic PAHs ranged ∑ CarPAHs 26.79–179.74 µg/m3. The result also showed the surgical and N95 facemask emits the highest concentration of PAHs. The modeled annual ground-level PAHs Isopleth reveals the presence of a high concentration of PAHs around the vicinity of the burning site after a year. Proper disposal of these facemask using controlled medical incinerator is highly recommended.