On March 2, 2021 the Público newspaper published a news story about an investigation carried out by a researcher from FCUP, Ana Catarina Santos, which aims to analyze how disposable masks decompose in order to minimize the pollution caused by them.

The experiment is taking place in the Campus Agrário de Vairão, where the decomposition time of the masks in the soil is being analyzed. From the experiments carried out after three months, it was concluded that the degradation is almost null. The masks will be left in the soil for at least six months, so that more substantiated conclusions can be drawn.

In addition, it also intends to make people aware of the need to change behavior with regard to the use and disposal of the masks. The full news can be read at:

https://www.publico.pt/2021/03/02/p3/noticia/mascaras-sao-descartaveis-ambiente-nao-ana-catarina-investigar-ameaca-1951400

At EQUILIBRIUM Laboratory you can perform biodegradability studies of this type of products.
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