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Waste face masks may lead to the death of sea creatures
As the world is battling with the coronavirus pandemic, the used gloves and face masks are adding to marine pollution.
Globally, 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are estimated to be used every month, and the protective equipment thrown into the seas is increasing day by day.
The life of the unrecyclable face masks that can also reach the seas by way of rainwater and winds is 400 years in nature, while it is 500 years for plastic gloves. In addition to exacerbating the already detrimental plastic waste problem, this global issue also threatens the life of marine creatures.
Research has determined that only 15 percent of such waste remains on the sea surface while 85 percent is found in medium-depth and very deep waters, which make it impossible to clean up. Wastes not only affect the air we breathe but they also threaten the life of marine creatures.