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Discarded Face Masks and Gloves are becoming a new source of Water Pollution

Bongaigaon Times: Life Style: Credit: John Vibes / Truth Theory

Masks have now become either mandatory or strongly recommended across much of the world, in hopes of stopping the spread of the coronavirus. While recommendations have been controversial in some areas due to low supplies, masks have been shown to work, but unfortunately, these new accessories have given people a new item to litter.

Discarded Face Masks and Gloves are becoming a new source of Water Pollution

In addition to cigarette butts, empty bottles and discarded food wrappers, rubber gloves and surgical masks are now littering many city streets as well. Discarded items on the street can very easily get washed down drains during storms, and eventually, end up in the ocean or other waterways.

Surgical masks and gloves can be especially damaging to the environment because they are often made out of fabrics and plastics that are not biodegradable and come in colors that are attractive to marine animals.

In Asia, where people have already been widely using masks and gloves for a few months now, conservation groups have reported that these items are already making their way into the nearby waterways and oceans.

Discarded Face Masks and Gloves are becoming a new source of Water Pollution

In February, the conservation group OceanAsia posted photos that they took of the beaches in Hong Kong, where gloves and surgical masks were scattered all over the sand, and floating in the water.

OceanAsia co-founder Gary Stokes told that he expects these items to be found inside of dead marine animals in the near future.

Environmentalists in all over the world have been noticing a similar trend, as the use of masks and gloves continues to be more common in the countries.


Photo Credit: Ocean Asia
Article Credit: John Vibes / Truth Theory



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