More than 1.5 billion discarded masks, mostly disposable medical-surgical masks that take hundreds of years to degrade, will reach the oceans in 2020***.
The masks that saved lives during the global pandemic of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic are now wildlife killers. Huge amounts of mask litter have invaded animal habitats, harming birds and marine life.
Since governments advised people to wear masks in public ****ing to prevent epidemics, disposable surgical masks have become ubiquitous, found on sidewalks, waterways and beaches around the world.
While these disposable medical surgical masks are made of a thinner material, they take hundreds of years to degrade.
The environment is really hurting under the epidemic? injured?
The biggest environmental impact of discarded masks may occur in water. Environmental groups are warning that large quantities of discarded masks, latex gloves and other medical protective equipment are damaging marine ecosystems by flowing into already polluted rivers and oceans in a variety of ways.
More than 1.5 billion masks made their way into the world's oceans last year, causing about 6,200 tons of marine plastic pollution, according to Ocean Asia, a marine conservation group.
According to environmentalists, the best solution is to ban littering to reduce the risk of animals getting trapped.OceansAsia has also called on governments to increase fines for littering and encourage people to use washable masks.
Disposal of discarded masks
If in a medical institution, it can be put directly into a medical waste bin and disposed of centrally by a professional disposal organization;
If there is a special bin for discarded masks, community residents can dispose of the masks and put them into the special bin;
If there is no special bin for discarded masks, for the Asymptomatic ordinary residents, they can directly destroy the discarded masks and put them into other garbage or hazardous waste barrels; residents with fever, cough and other symptoms need to carry out basic disinfection of the masks and then put them into the hazardous waste.
Use the right method and dispose of it correctly. Abandoned masks carry a lot of bacteria, viruses, need to be properly disposed of, do not follow the Internet rumors? Boil it in boiling water? The masks are not to be used in the same way as the other masks. etc., which may lead to the spread and propagation of bacteria;
Disinfecting treatment, centralized delivery. Residents in the delivery of masks before, available alcohol will be simple disinfection of masks, simple treatment, the best separate sealed in a plastic bag, put to the designated location, to facilitate the follow-up harmless treatment;
Timely removal, high temperature incineration. Arrange for specialized personnel professional vehicles to clear? Waste masks?