According to a study by OceanAsia, a Hong Kong-based environmental group stated that as per estimation 52 million face masks were manufactured in 2021 to meet the demand caused due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A ‘conservative’ calculation by the group, noted that 3% of the total masks will be washed to the sea.

The report continues, “Single-use face masks are made from a variety of meltblown plastics and are difficult to recycle due to both composition and risk of contamination and infection,”

“These masks enter our oceans when they are littered or otherwise improperly discarded, when waste management systems are inadequate or non-existent, or when these systems become overwhelmed due to increased volumes of waste.”

As per the report, this one mask weighing three to four grams would result in 6,800-plus tons of plastic pollution which could take 450 years to break down.

The loops of the masks also pose a possible entanglement risk for wildlife, the report pointed out, noting several examples of marine animals that were killed by face masks.

While quoting Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which urged the public to cut off the snaps before discarding the masks, the OceanAsia also recommends that reusable, washable cloth masks should be worn whenever possible.