Petaling Jaya, 24th August 2020 - Used face masks should be treated as hazardous waste and not dealt with like normal refuse. Standard operating procedures (SOP) should also be introduced to deal with their disposal.
In calling for such measures, environmentalists said discarded used masks could increase the risk of Covid-19 infection.
Circular economy and waste management expert Dr. S. Sri Umeswara said, face masks are to protect the wearer from getting exposed to the virus but they could end up putting others at risk of infection.
He said frontliners, especially healthcare workers, treat face masks as hazardous or medical waste. But used masks are being discarded as solid waste, he pointed out.
Malaysian Nature Society President, Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail said, the public generally do not dispose used masks in the right manner.
“You have to discard your mask in a plastic bag and throw them in a closed bin. But that seems like a tall order for (some people),” he said.
He suggested extra bins be provided at public areas specially for the disposal of used face masks. But even then, the right attitude is needed for this to be effective, he added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advised people to avoid touching their masks while wearing them as well as discarding it immediately in a closed bin. However, these used items are frequently seen strewn on the ground.
Read futher on The Sundaily’s link attached, https://www.thesundaily.my/…/public-urged-to-discard-used-f…
Sumber: theSundaily
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