| Author | Yin Nyein Myat |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-36 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Environmental aspects
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| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study aimed to examine the efficiency of the face masks to reduce the inhalation of the airborne microplastics and reduce the potential health impacts. Ten types of face masks were tested with the acrylic microplastics generating from the acrylic board cutting in an ambient laboratory, Asian Institute of Technology. The samples were collected using the High Volume Air Simpler covering with the mask filters on the inlet, and the tests were done under an air flow operation limit of the high volume sampler. Three scenarios were performed: (i) only operating as regular particulate matter sampling, (ii) setting up face masks over the filter, and (iii) partially opened face mask over the filter. In total, thirteen experiments were observed in this study (without particle generation, with and without face masks with acrylic microplastics) with the same plastic cutting process, cutting tools, and operating time by the operator. A direct particle counting method was used to identify the characteristics and quantity of microplastics under a stereomicroscope. Filtering efficiencies of face masks were calculated using the numbers of microplastics collected in different experiments. All tests with different face masks used in this study proved that the face masks were efficient at blocking microplastics in the air: 62-72% in 3-ply surgical masks, 95% in N95 and KN95, 38-80% in commercially available face masks, 77-76% in the homemade face masks. Although there are some limitations of the methods used in this study, it is clear that face masks were efficient tools to protect against microplastics in the air. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Xue, Wenchao;Chatterjee, Joyee S. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |