Nonwovens used for the production of respiratory protective equipment and its ecotoxicological impact on specific soil samples

Abstract

At the time of COVID-19, the production and consumption of respiratory protection products, as well as the amount of waste generated from these products, was huge. A part of this amount got into the free landscape. This study addresses the toxicity of two materials that have been used to manufacture respiratory protection products, these are mainly laminated and non-laminated nonwovens. Three bearing experiments were carried out. (1) Ecotoxicity testing the inhibition test on Lactuca sativa seeds, (2) Earthworm, Acute Toxicity Tests, and (3) Avoidance test with earthworms Eisenia andrei. All experiments are a part of a broader framework of environmental toxicity assessments, particularly focused on soil health. These tests, though different in their specific procedures, share common goals of evaluating the effects of chemicals or contaminated environments on organisms and ecosystem functioning. Although acute toxicity has not been confirmed, avoidance behaviour of the earthworms was evident and nonwoven material mechanically adhered to their tissue. Moreover, the lack of demonstration of acute toxicity does not mean that nonwoven micro(nano)plastics cannot accumulate in the organisms and cause negative long-term effects.