Disposal of used masks- Concern on health and environment

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province, and has since spread globally, resulting in the ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

Today people across the globe are using masks to minimize their risk of being affected by COVID-19. N95 as well as N99 masks are quite popular in the Indian market. N95 masks are manufactured in such a way that the air inhaled is 95% free from pollutants while it is 99% for N99 masks. Most of these masks can be worn and used a number of times, they do have life. Once the mask gets worn out or the filter gets clogged due to pollutants, it will no longer be effective to protect against pollution. Disposable masks are to be used once and then disposed. Recently State Government of Andhra Pradesh (in India) has taken a decision to distribute 16 crore masks i.e, 3 masks per every citizen in the state. Housewives in the country are stitching masks for their families as an initiative. Well, what does WHO say about the use of masks? WHO mentions that masks can be used to prevent the spread of COVID 19 wherein N99 masks play a vital role.

Due to lack of awareness, after using the masks people are just throwing them on roads, markets, and other public places. This results in the rapid spread of COVID 19. Municipality sweepers are helping us by doing their job during this crisis as well. They will be the first people to get affected because of such acts done by the citizens, due to ignorance. An incident took place in Hartford, United States(U.S.) where people threw used gloves and masks on the roads. Mr. Luke Bronin, mayor of Hartford told the citizens, “Don’t drop them in a store; don’t drop them on the ground outside. You’re putting others’ health at risk, and ultimately, by putting anyone’s health at risk, you’re putting everyone’s health at risk”.

Recently in Vijayawada (India), a municipality worker complained that people moving in cars, bikes, and trucks are throwing these masks in an attempt to throw them directly into the bin but as the masks are lighter they end up flying on streets. Dr.Gopichand, a medical expert from Government General Hospital(G.G. H) said that “ one used mask lying in the open can directly affect more than 10 people. Studies have revealed that each positive person can affect 416 others. We can only imagine how many will be affected because of a single mask, which was thrown carelessly. As the supply of masks is less than demand, out of greed for money people may collect these used masks, recycle them and sell. ”

Looking into the environmental aspect, these medical gloves are made of different polymers including latex, nitrile rubber, polyvinyl chloride, and neoprene which will pollute land and water if directly thrown on roads or water bodies. Most of these materials are non-biodegradable ,whereas few may take upto six months to decompose. Without a proper landfill they may form a layer in the various layers of the soil. This would block rain water penetration and may lead to floods and may harm the growth of plants. Street dogs are the main victims which come in direct contact with this used equipment. The cycle revolves where the dogs may get in contact with NGO’s and kind citizens providing food to them. It will lead to the rapid spread of the virus. Birds may also get in contact with this virus through land. Throwing these masks and gloves in water bodies may affect the aquatic life as well. Hence, masks or gloves after use should be thrown in a closed dustbin, and not in the open places. As these are medical wastes, they should be treated in different ways such as disinfection and deep burial. Hospital waste management comes under a vast subject that cannot be neglected by just disposing used PPE’s, gloves and other medical equipment on land. Reusable and stitched masks must be washed thoroughly and dried in sunlight. Though it is not proven that sunlight kills coronavirus, but well, it's a good practice.

Author: Santosh Nagamalla

References:

1.https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2020/apr/18/discarded-masks-biggest-potential-carriers-of-coronavirus-say-experts-2131765.html

2.https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/coronavirus/health-officials-ask-people-to-stop-throwing-used-gloves-masks-on-the-ground-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

3.https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html