Administrative controls have been put in place in all countries to deal with coronavirus epidemics. Due to this many factories were closed. Vehicles are also running less. We think that no matter how much damage is caused by hyperthermia, it may be a little better for the environment. Because water-soil-air pollution has decreased a bit. I think so, but our idea is not right. In fact, environmental pollution is complicated by the new look of Corona. Discarded masks, gloves, PPE and assorted plastic items using this major source of pollution.
■Corona's new pollution
Masks are now commonplace to protect against infectious viruses. Gloves, face shields, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment or personal protective armor) with masks are also essential for doctors, nurses and health workers treating Covid patients. Without these things, it is impossible to think of dealing with the virus. But if not properly disposed of after use, these can lead to dangerous environmental pollution. These can spread the deadly disease. Moreover, the demand for various health products like hand sanitizers and soaps has multiplied in the market due to the extreme weather. Excessive plastic contamination can also occur in the environment from their vials or packaging.
■Dangers of used masks, gloves, PPE
Different parts of PPE or personal protective armor are gown, respirator, face shield, eye protection, head cover, shoe cover, etc. Besides, there are masks and gloves. These are mainly made of plastic material. These are not biodegradable. That is, they do not mix easily with the soil. Most PPEs are single-use, discarded once. Attempts are being made to produce PPE that can be reused using ultraviolet rays or chemical liquids. However, it has not yet achieved much success.
Then let's talk about masks and gloves. Ordinary people often wear cloth masks. However, surgical masks or other masks are usually made of polypropylene plastic. These are not biodegradable. These masks are single-use in many cases. On the other hand, the main component of hand gloves is natural rubber in some cases. It is organic matter. However, rubber for making gloves contains various chemicals. So discarded gloves are not safe for the environment. Moreover, nitrile, vinyl and polyethylene gloves are more popular in the market nowadays than natural rubber gloves. These are made of plastic polymers, are not bio-degradable and are harmful to the environment.
In addition to masks, gloves, PPE, the use of many other types of plastic equipment and packaging has suddenly increased. The waste of these things needs to be disposed of very carefully. Otherwise, they can be especially harmful to the environment. Not only that, they can also play a big role in the spread of the disease.
■Safe management of every waste is needed
The huge amount of biomedical waste such as masks, gloves, PPE, etc. that is being generated every day in Kavid medical centers needs to be properly removed. These are hazardous wastes. These wastes have to be disposed of at high temperatures. This method is called incineration or combustion.
Ordinary people are now wearing masks extensively. This is also increasing the risk of environmental damage. Because there is a lack of public awareness about where or how to dispose of the mask after use. Moreover, garbage disposal in cities is often not done properly due to extreme weather.
Discarded masks, gloves, PPEs, hand sanitizer bottles, soap wrappers, single-use plastic bags and other plastic waste are spreading on the streets, markets, fields, forests, rivers, lakes and seas. Many such pictures have already gone viral on social media. These are enough to raise our concerns. If plastic pollution continues to increase in a new way during the corona period, it will not only harm the environment, it can also lead to hyperthermia.
■What to do with the mask used?
➤ Covid-19 isolation wards, masks used in test centers and laboratories and other such wastes should be stored in special bags. These have to be taken to the plant designated for biomedical waste and destroyed at high temperature.
Masks, gloves, aprons, head covers, etc. used in containment zones or hotspots and sealed zones should not be scattered. Waste collectors have to collect these regularly. These should not be mixed with other wastes. These must either be destroyed by incineration at high altitudes, or buried in a pit at least 10 feet deep.
Masks used in quarantined houses or other ordinary houses should be packed in paper bags and stored separately in a covered bin. In this way, at least 72 hours should be left and then the waste should be handed over to the garbage collectors of the municipality.
■The environment must be kept in mind
Many may say that the only goal now should be to save human lives at the stage of extinction, the environment can be considered later. In our opinion, this cannot be an argument. We think that it is wrong to think that the protection of human health and the health of the environment are contradictory. It is not possible to keep people healthy without keeping the environment healthy. Rather the unhealthy environment can create greater dangers for people..
Facemask is the best👍💯 medicine of covid