The adsorption of U-232 and Ra-226 at ultra-trace levels by single-use surgical face masks has been investigated in different aqueous media (e.g. de-ionized water, seawater, ground water and treated waste water). The measurements show that under the given concentration levels (picomole range) there is significant adsorption of the radionuclides by the face masks in laboratory and environmental waters. Evaluation of the adsorption data reveals that the partition coefficient values (K_d) differ significantly between the two radionuclides and that particularly in the case of uranium, pH and solution composition govern the adsorption efficiency because of hydrolysis and complex formation reactions. Based on the experimental results and having in mind the enormous amounts of uncontrolled face mask disposal, these are expected to play a significant role as radionuclide carries in the environment.

已经在不同的水性介质（例如去离子水、海水、地下水和处理过的废水）中研究了一次性外科口罩对超痕量水平的 U-232 和 Ra-226 的吸附。测量结果表明，在给定的浓度水平（皮摩尔范围）下，实验室和环境水中的面罩会明显吸附放射性核素。吸附数据的评估表明分配系数值 ( K _d) 两种放射性核素之间存在显着差异，特别是在铀的情况下，由于水解和复杂的形成反应，pH 值和溶液成分控制着吸附效率。根据实验结果并考虑到大量不受控制的口罩处置，预计这些将在环境中携带放射性核素时发挥重要作用。