- ArindamBala
- Indeed, protective equipment is at present time major required safety technique in protecting ourselves from deadly infectious coronavirus (Covid-19). All over the world mostlyoutgoing people use masks, gloves, gown and boots and medical PPE is mandatory for health workers while caring in contracting patients in hospital as it is fluid resistance and infected patients use masks either staying home or hospital.
- The coronavirus pandemic is not only threatening physical health of millions but also wreaking havoc on the emotional and mental health of people and it is also posing challenges on normal life, economy, employment, education, social bonding, and medical science, however it has positive impact on environment as pollution is noticeably decreasing.
- Since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic,a good amount of used normal and surgical masks, gloves, apron and gown, and wipes are ending up in the open space for example on our street, sidewalk and in communityover country especially in city level and near the hospital that has become disturbing normsthat may potentially spread coronavirus epidemic.So, it is assured that poor disposal of masks, gloves and protective gears posing deeper public health risk. Also, they have been found in water we drink as well as water that is home to animals that can create an irreparable damage for human and animal health.
- Single-use polypropylene made face masks selling in pharmacy and local shops are not biodegradable are already becoming a threat to the environment. And plastic made protective materials that are improperly deposed of threated our waterways and wildlife and soil. A recent report published by the UCL Plastic Waste Innovation Hub reveals that if, for example, every person in the UK used one single-use face mask each day for a year, it would create 66,000 tons of contaminated plastic waste, and ten times more climate change impact than using reusable masks. And in Bangladeah, around 14,500 tons hazardous plastic waste generated from such disposal in communities, hospitals, and other health care facilities in a month.
- Current circumstances shows that not only there is likely possibility to be surge on regular basis of medical waste such as surgical mask,gown and other protective gears, but millions of people use tissues, face masks and latex gloves when leaving their home, and lot of that waste is being dumped into home garbage bins.
- Because of unconsciously dumping them in unexpected place it has been seen that mobile court has seized huge gown and masks that some unscrupulous retailors collect from different places and then make ready for reselling them to customers that can be very alarming for public health. In terms of reducing the facing challenges and such crimewe should help our government and concerned authorities by proper disposal for creating safe environment and save lives of love one and leading a healthy life. According to World Health Organization (WHO)”discard the mask immediately after use preferably into closed bin”.
- In general, waste protective equipment is placed in mixed in general waste at household level, which may put waste collectors at risk of contracting infections. When unintentionally, the pedestrians walk on the street and move to near the dumping points, the virus can be stacked with footwear and brought into house or room consequently there is much possibility to be infected others family members.
- During the existing pandemic it is expected the demand for disposing of waste of PPE will increase and people could show positive behaviour to minimize the havoc. In the meantime, the government has issued various guidance regarding potential workplace hazards resulting from exposure to Covid-19. And the health workers as well as medical authority maintain the proper waste disposal procedure according to World Health Organization instruction.
- Raising awareness of people is an important distinction on using mask, gloves, and gown and keeping in safe place. The dishonest persons have become able to take the opportunity because of lacking of proper disposal used these gears, as the use of these protective items is increasing so throwing tendency of user on street or open space need to be controlled and people have to be more aware and have to contribute to build safe country and save lives.
- The authority of every store, market and office should place garbage canjustoutside and request the customers, employees, strangers to litter the used protective gearsas soon as they are removed, even though some of them have become conscious to combat the virus, the arrangement have to be expanded more.
- In order to protect environment, people should be disposing of their used protective gears properly. There is needed enforcement guidance for all sectors and people for reducing the risk of contamination of environment.
- Ingeneral, the waste disposal workers should know and follow proper guideline of agencies like World Health Organization (WHO) as used protective materials of infected by coronavirus (Covid-19) is highly infectious, though the garbage collectors have been given instruction by the concerned authority on proper steps of collection process, it is essential that every garbage collector handling clinical waste be aware of how to segregate, label and dispose of waste safely. They need appropriate training and safety guidance and equipment forgathering enough knowledge on crucial moment. In addition, many staff members, from environmental services workers to clinicians, have to be trained, so knowledge on minimizing corona pandemic is increased resulting the change of infection can stay ground level.
- In a report it has been told that put used tissues, face masks and gloves into separate plastic bags and to wait 24 hours before putting them out for garbage collection. No doubt every household members and pedestrian must to follow the right rules. ”The New England Journal of Medicine just published a study that tested how long the virus can remain stable on different kinds of surface within a controlled laboratory setting. They found that it was still detectable on copper for up to four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and steel for up to 72 hours”.
- In order to lessen the public health hazard and environment pollution associated with the disposal contaminated waste, the city corporation and local government can install special disposal units for contaminated mask, gloves or any other protective gears in every street and in community level. As when the walking people will get the opportunities to dump the used protective gears in dedicated place, their positive intention may grow not to spread Covid-19 infection and contaminate environment.
- And people have to make understand through online and media campaign and voice SMS by mobile aboutthe importance of proper disposal of masks, gloves and any other used equipment to prevent coronavirus infection and give emphasis on change behaviour of them by motivational approach for better tomorrow.
- Finally, proper waste management is part of safety and creates sound environment and that is essential service to our society. During the unprecedented worldwide pandemic, the waste collection and dumping practices can be adapted in the context of coronavirus crisis with the objective of protecting public health and environment.
- The writer is an environment activist
- The writer can be reached at arindam1985.ju@gmail.com
শেয়ার করুন
