This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the face mask has become an essential item in our daily lives. But have you ever wondered where these masks come from, who makes them, and how they end up in our hands?
According to medical anthropologist Christos Lynteris, wearing masks has been common in eastern Asia since the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003. In Japan, for example, wearing surgical-style masks is a common practice in winter and spring to protect oneself and others from infection.
However, in Europe, wearing masks has been rare, with some countries only recently making them mandatory. In France, for instance, the post-revolution spirit of enlightenment means that citizens are expected to present themselves face uncovered in public spaces, as anthropologist Frederic Keck explained to Le Monde.
As a result, many people wear masks in unorthodox fashion, with some wearing them under their chin or with their nose uncovered. In some countries, like Iraq, masks are even passed from one person to another, with shoppers leaving a store and passing their masks to those about to enter.
Today, wearing a mask is mandatory in around 50 countries, with some countries imposing fines or even arrest for non-compliance. In the United States, for example, the mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma, dropped an order requiring masks in shops after some residents complained about an infringement of civil liberties.
But the face mask pandemic is not just about compliance; it's also about supply and price. With the bulk of production coming from Asia, particularly China, which produces around 50% of global stocks of surgical masks, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of global supply chains.
When Chinese exports resumed, demand was frantic, leading to major shortages in countries like Italy, Spain, and Egypt. Prices soared, with some masks costing 25 times more than usual in Lebanon, according to medical import unions. In South Africa, two firms were forced to explain to competition authorities why they had raised prices by as much as 1,000%.
However, as the pandemic has shown, even in the face of crisis, people can come together to make a difference. In Morocco, for example, 20 firms have been producing 10 million masks per day, while in France, the government requisitioned production at local firms and large companies diversified to lend a hand.
But the face mask pandemic is not just about production and price; it's also about disposal. Many countries lack clear guidelines on how to dispose of masks, with some being thrown out with household rubbish. In France, recycling firm Citeo advises throwing masks in a resistant plastic bag, which should be closed carefully and kept overnight before being thrown into the dustbin and ultimately taken off for incineration.
However, this approach has a not-so-green downside: the intensive use of plastic bags. In many countries, masks simply end up in the street or the countryside, with some even being spotted on Chinese beaches. The environmental impact of these masks is significant, with many containing polypropylene, a dense material that degrades over countless decades.
Scientists are now seeking ways to decontaminate surgical masks to allow repeated use, including washing at a high 95 degrees Celsius and in a steam chamber allowing sterilisation. Another ploy under review is gamma ray irradiation to kill off lingering microorganisms.
