Yasmeen Manzoor
Srinagar, April 18(KNB): Environmentalists have asked people to dispose off used face masks and gloves, sanitizers bottles scientifically which are being used as prevention against Coronovirus.
They cautioned that the use-and-throw masks, plastic bottles of used sanitizers, handwashes mostly made of non-biodegradable fabrics including plastics like polypropylene, do not break down quickly and unnecessary use of these is adding threat to the already-dangerous levels of plastic pollution to the environment.
As more people wear face masks and gloves in a bid to protect themselves from deadly Covid -19 , environmentalists from all over the world have warned people to dispose off the masks, sanitizer bottles, handwash bottles scientifically.
World Health Organization has also issued guidelines for this, “If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask when you are taking care of a person with COVID-19; Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing; Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.”
WHO’s emergencies director Mike Ryan in a statement said, “There are limits to how a mask can protect you from being infected and we’ve said the most important thing everyone can do is wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face, observe very precise hygiene.”
Moreover, the World Health Organization since the start of the global outbreak has continuously advised people all around the globe; wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and keep your distance.
Talking to Kashmir News Bureau, Environmentalist Arif Yaseen said, “Many people who wear surgical masks, gloves,make use of hand sanitizers packed in plastic bottles don’t follow the official guidelines of WHO, as there are majority who either donot bother to dispose of them in the right way or simply don’t understand the risks of not doing so.”
He further added, ” People should strictly follow the WHO guidelines and maintain social distancing which is the best way to protect yourself from the disease rather than unnecessary use of masks which if not disposed properly could affect health and morover use of masks could lead to their shortage which could become a huge problem for frontline workers.”
Discarded masks, bottles of sanitizers, gloves if not disposed properly could pose a wider risk to the community as those who end up in contact with the used gloves and masks most likely Municipal workers could get infected besides stray animals, he added.(KNB)