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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Damien Gayle

Disposable face masks used during Covid have left chemical timebomb, research suggests

Covid-19 Pandemic
A disposable face mask on the ground next to a street drain
The masks are now breaking down, releasing microplastics and chemical additives. Photograph: Alan Morris/Alamy

The surge in the use of disposable face masks during the Covid pandemic has left a chemical timebomb that could harm humans, animals and the environment, research suggests.

Millions of tonnes of plastic face masks created to protect people from the spread of the virus are now breaking down, releasing microplastics and chemical additives including endocrine disruptors, the research found.

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