Many governments have imposed the public use of face masks and they are now moving towards enforcing disposable masks to abate COVID-19 transmission. While disposable masks consistently provide higher protection, they also carry multiple environmental burdens, from greenhouse gases released during production to the landfilling and littering. Conversely, reusable masks’ protection can vary from >90% certified industrial masks, similar to disposable masks, to dubious homemade or artisanal masks. This work discusses the protection provided by different masks, their impact on the environment, and new proposals combining concerns about public health and sustainability.

中文翻译：

---

一次性可重复使用的口罩：公共安全还是环境灾难？

许多政府已强制要求公众使用口罩，并且它们现在正朝着强制使用一次性口罩的方向发展，以减少COVID-19的传播。尽管一次性口罩始终提供更高的保护，但它们也承受着多种环境负担，从生产过程中释放的温室气体到垃圾填埋场和垃圾填埋场。相反，可重复使用的口罩的保护范围从> 90％的经过认证的工业口罩（类似于一次性口罩）到可疑的自制或手工口罩。这项工作讨论了不同口罩提供的保护，其对环境的影响以及结合对公共卫生和可持续性的关注的新建议。