Covid-19 has shaken the world economy to its core and shifted the focus of nations from progress to a struggle to save its citizens from death. The transmittable nature of this virus makes it hard to contain and curb its spread. As of now, no effective medicine or vaccine has been approved by WHO that could insure us from this virus. The frontline workers who are the Healthcare workers are the most at risk.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits are the only defense against the infection that they have at their disposal. PPE kits include single-use gloves, aprons, and gowns, surgical masks, respirators, and face protectors in the form of glasses, goggles, or face shields.
These PPE kits have to be disposed scientifically because of the transmittable nature of the virus.
In England, the National Health Service labels waste as either “infectious” (contaminated with bodily fluids), “offensive” (contaminated but not infectious), or “municipal” (similar to household waste). Used PPE is generally labeled as infectious or offensive, which means disposal needs to prevent the transmission of disease to the wider population.
There are protocols regarding the collection, transportation, and disposal of these medical wastes. First, these kits have to be carefully removed and stored in a double-layered yellow bags. The double-layered bags have to be disinfected with 1% hypochlorite solution, to prevent any leaks and should be transported in boxes to Bio-medical waste disposal plants. The most effective way of disposal is burning it in high temperatures in a hazardous incineration plant. Incineration not only destroys the virus; it can reduce the amount of waste piling up.
But this practice has a deep impact on the environment as the greenhouse gases produced from the incinerators are sent directly to the atmosphere. The cost-effective nature of these plants at a time like this is what makes them preferable than other modes of waste management.
Every country has to take strict protocols regarding the treatment of infectious wastes. Since the pandemic started, large amounts of used PPE kits have been found dumped in open spaces of New Delhi and significant volumes stored by workers in the informal sector for potential resale. If these used PPE kits are left untreated this can be a source for the further spread of the virus. Proper training has to be given for the workers in the waste disposal sector and their protection from these potential threats of infection has to be done through providing protective gear.
There is a need to address the after-effects of an unplanned and unsustainable way of waste disposal that has a heavy toll on the environment. Developing countries need to give the required attention to the safe disposal of biohazard medical wastes. Once the immediate focus of patient treatment and infection control has been taken care of, Governments have to regulate the terms or protocols that oversees the waste disposal rigorously without any relaxation.
Studies have to be funded by governments of each nation to find an ethical and sustainable way to counter the problem of bio-hazard waste disposal.
Image courtesy: The conversation
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