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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Review Article
Face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic: A critical review of utility, psychological effects, and environmental concerns
Premavathy N, Antonydas, Lavanya R, Senthilkumar G P and Nazreen B
Year : 2025 | Pages: 283-287
Received on: 22/19/2025
Revised on: 26/10/2025
Accepted on: 11/11/2025
Published on: 25/11/2025
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Premavathy N, Antonydas, Lavanya R, Senthilkumar G P and Nazreen B( 2025).
Face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic: A critical review of utility, psychological effects, and environmental concerns
. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 10( 6), 283-287.
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated global adoption of face masks as a primary non-pharmaceutical intervention to limit viral transmission. Although masks offer clear advantages in reducing droplet spread and reminding individuals to maintain physical distancing, their prolonged use has generated debates regarding comfort, communication barriers, physiological effects, and environmental burden. This critical review evaluates the utility of face masks during the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing their role in preventing asymptomatic and symptomatic transmission, while also examining associated psychological and social challenges such as altered facial recognition, diminished emotional communication, and possible anxiety responses. Furthermore, the rapid increase in disposable mask production has contributed to escalating plastic pollution, raising significant environmental concerns. Drawing on recent guidelines, empirical studies, and public health reports, this paper synthesizes current evidence to provide a balanced understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of mask usage. The findings underline the need for continued advocacy of safe mask practices while encouraging development of sustainable materials and improved public awareness strategies.
Keywords
COVID-19, Face Masks, Public Health, Psychological Impact, Non-verbal Communication.
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© The Author(s) 2025. This article is published by International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (creativecommons.org), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
