However, this new norm comes with an issue. Getting rid of those personal protective equipment items is often being done improperly. If you’ve gone out to a grocery store of late, you’ve likely seen a form of pollution that has become increasingly prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic. Yes, I’m talking about gloves, wipes, and masks littered in parking lots, parks, bushes, and throughout our communities.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended that Americans wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, reversing an earlier directive against it. Now, everyone across the country is finding used masks as well as gloves and disinfectant wipes littering store parking lots. The problem is so severe that many state and county public health departments have issued advisories against throwing masks and gloves on the streets and parking lots.
Doctors and healthcare professionals tell us that this littering and improper disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not just annoying, but is extremely dangerous. Here’s why.
Experts tell us that littering is not just a nuisance. PPE that hasn’t been properly disposed of can cause the coronavirus to spread more easily. When people throw their PPE in public, the cleaning staff has to get rid of these contaminated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These cleaning workers are not equipped to handle these contaminated pieces spread the virus and so it puts them in harm’s way. Not only are the cleaning workers in danger, but the general public is too. These discarded PPE move around with the wind and may be touched by the general public by mistake or kids unknowingly could pick them up and contract the virus. That one person getting infected may spread it to hundreds more. These thrown out PPE have already caused a lot of individuals to contract the virus this way and will continue to do so if people do not take responsibility and dispose of their used PPE properly.
Data from surveys show that out of all, gloves are the most commonly littered Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) being found in the United States.
Another danger is that this PPE creates a false sense of security and may lead to an even faster spread. People think that they are wearing gloves and masks and so are protected. Of course, they are, but the problem arises when people take off their masks and gloves. People generally do not know how to take their PPE off properly. Now while taking off and throwing these PPE away people may get the virus on their hands. Now they think that they are clean and safe. This false sense of security may cause the person to let their guard down and stop taking the precautions (because he thinks he is clean and free from the virus). The person may touch his face or nose and other surfaces indoors and would spread the virus and people wouldn’t even know that they’re doing so.
Along with aiding the spread of the virus, improper discarding of PPE is also creating an additional plastic food packaging, and straws; plastic PPE that are improperly disposed of threaten our waterways and wildlife. Plastic does not biodegrade; instead, it breaks down into tiny pieces over time and eventually becomes micro-plastic pollution in our waters. Once micro-plastics enter our waterways, they act as toxic sponges, accumulating toxic chemicals present in the water, including pesticides and PCBs. Micro-plastics have been shown to accumulate toxins a million times higher than the surrounding waters. Studies show that when fish and aquatic life consume these micro-plastics, the chemicals are passed up the food chain to larger fish and wildlife, and ultimately, can end up on our dinner plates.
We shouldn’t have to choose between protecting the environment and protecting public health. But sadly this is what is currently happening and people choose to protect themselves and don’t care if they harm the environment in the process. So the question arises “what to do if you want to be safe during the pandemic while also protecting others and taking care of the environment”?
- Don’t litter and dispose of them properly.
This should go without saying, but given what we’re seeing, it definitely needs to be said. Don’t let your used PPE become litter! Most stores have garbage cans located just outside. Due to this growing problem, many stores now even have signage to “DISPOSE OF YOUR PPE HERE,” making proper disposal even easier. Another option is that you can carry a small bag or container with you and you can put your used PPE into it and then dispose of it properly when you get home.
- Don’t put the PPE in your neighborhood recycling bins.
Recycling stuff is amazing and we should all do it, but when it comes to PPE, do not recycle them. Even though most of PPE items are made of plastic, they still cannot be disposed of in curbside recycling bins. Your PPE can potentially be contaminated, which puts sanitation workers that sift through recyclable items at risk.
PPE is intended to help us fight a public health threat, and not turn into one. Everyone can do their part to slow the spread of the coronavirus by practicing sanitary behavior, properly discarding all masks, gloves, and wipes, and following social distancing orders.