COVID Face Masks: Policy Shift Results in Increased Littering

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Abstract

The introduction of the mandatory use of fitted face masks in indoor spaces to limit the transmission of COVID-19 resulted in increased municipal waste of discarded single-use surgical face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as latex gloves. In parallel, the occurrence of intentionally or accidentally discarded masks has created a major environmental problem. This paper presents the data of a longitudinal study of the occurrence of discarded face masks in an urban environment of a community in regional Australia. It demonstrates that the shift from voluntary to mandatory use of fitted face masks resulted in an immediate increase of publicly discarded masks and other items of PPE. The overserved spatial and temporal patterns allow us to draw inferences on human behavior.

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Most cited references 29

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The SARS, MERS and novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics, the newest and biggest global health threats: what lessons have we learned?

Noah Peeri, Nistha Shrestha, Md Siddikur Rahman … (2020)

Abstract Objectives To provide an overview of the three major deadly coronaviruses and identify areas for improvement of future preparedness plans, as well as provide a critical assessment of the risk factors and actionable items for stopping their spread, utilizing lessons learned from the first two deadly coronavirus outbreaks, as well as initial reports from the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Wuhan, China. Methods Utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, USA) website, and a comprehensive review of PubMed literature, we obtained information regarding clinical signs and symptoms, treatment and diagnosis, transmission methods, protection methods and risk factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19. Comparisons between the viruses were made. Results Inadequate risk assessment regarding the urgency of the situation, and limited reporting on the virus within China has, in part, led to the rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout mainland China and into proximal and distant countries. Compared with SARS and MERS, COVID-19 has spread more rapidly, due in part to increased globalization and the focus of the epidemic. Wuhan, China is a large hub connecting the North, South, East and West of China via railways and a major international airport. The availability of connecting flights, the timing of the outbreak during the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and the massive rail transit hub located in Wuhan has enabled the virus to perforate throughout China, and eventually, globally. Conclusions We conclude that we did not learn from the two prior epidemics of coronavirus and were ill-prepared to deal with the challenges the COVID-19 epidemic has posed. Future research should attempt to address the uses and implications of internet of things (IoT) technologies for mapping the spread of infection.

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Covid-19 face masks: A potential source of microplastic fibers in the environment

Oluniyi O. Fadare, Elvis D. Okoffo (2020)

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COVID Pollution: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Plastic Waste Footprint

Nsikak Benson, David E. Bassey, Thavamani Palanisami (2021)

Plastic products play significant roles in protecting people during COVID pandemic. The widespread use of protective gear created a massive disruption both in the supply chain and waste disposal system. Millions of discarded single-use plastics (masks, gloves, aprons, and bottles of sanitizers) have been added to the terrestrial environment and could cause a surge in plastics washing up the ocean coastlines and littering the seabed. This paper attempts to bring out the environmental footprints of the global plastic wastes generated during COVID19 and analyse the potential impacts associated with plastic pollution. The amount of plastic wastes generated worldwide since the outbreak is estimated at 1.6 million tonnes/day. We estimate that approximately 3.4 billion single-use facemasks or face shields are discarded daily as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, globally. Our comprehensive data analysis does indicate that COVID-19 will reverse the momentum of a years-long global battle to reduce plastic waste. As governments are looking to turbo-charge the economy by supporting businesses weather the pandemic, there is an opportunity to rebuild new industries which can innovate on new reusable or non-plastic PPEs. The unanticipated occurrence of a pandemic of this scale has resulted in the unmanageable level of biomedical plastic wastes. This expert insight is an attempt to raise awareness, for the adoption of dynamic waste management strategies targeted at reducing environmental contamination by plastics during COVID19 pandemic.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Dirk H. R. Spennemann: (View ORCID Profile)

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): SUSTDE

Title: Sustainability

Abbreviated Title: Sustainability

Publisher: MDPI AG

ISSN (Electronic): 2071-1050

Publication date Created: September 2021

Publication date (Electronic): September 02 2021

Volume: 13

Issue: 17

Page: 9875

Article

DOI: 10.3390/su13179875

SO-VID: 68e6d8ab-4c3e-4f5a-a912-86b105115e4a

License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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