I am an undergraduate student learning the ropes of microplastic sample processing and have found that my blanks continue to have above average counts of fiber contamination. We have found that disposable masks might be a culprit and have stopped wearing them in the lab but still find fibers matching that of disposable masks in my blanks. Has anyone run into this issue? Has anyone found a way to overcome this problem?
Dear Abigail Lucas,
Yes. This is a serious problem and little is said about in the popular news media. This is an excellent research topic that could be tackled now. The impact of protective masks made of plastics on the state of contamination of the natural environment with microplastics can be large. In addition, it happens that what is specified by the manufacturer of protective masks as a single-use product after applying an appropriate cleaning technique, washing may turn out to be a reusable product. In addition, normative rules for waste segregation should be introduced, taking into account materials, including masks used to increase the level of anti-pandemic safety. This is important because the pollution of the terrestrial, marine and air environment with microplastic particles has been growing rapidly in recent years.
Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
You can overcome the fiber contmination working in a clean room that have the walls painted with electrostatic paint. The paint is at high voltage and attracts the fibers. If you do not have a clean room with electrostatic paint then do all the work work in a ventilated niche. Use electrostatic paint at high potential or an electrostatic device to filter the air.