Danger Of Waste Masks Potential Threats To The Environment

Danger Of Waste Masks Potential Threats To The Environment

Saturday, Juli 24, 2021 | 07.04 AM

Author : Aisyah  | Editor: Aisyah

Medical masks to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 are currently not only used by medical personnel and Covid-19 positive patients, both those undergoing treatment in health facilities and those who are self-isolating, but are also required for all residents who carry out activities outside the home. masks are part of the 3M health protocol that must be obeyed by anyone. The increase in the use of medical masks has led to an increase in the volume of medical waste which is feared not to be managed properly at the household level.

Information is obtained that the government has issued circulars and standards for household medical waste management. But in fact there are still many people who do not understand how to manage waste properly. The results of the study in Padang showed that 75.9% of household respondents threw away medical masks and mixed them with other waste; 6, 02% of respondents dispose of masks in a separate place; and 18.07% of respondents cut the mask before throwing it away. Further socialization and monitoring from the local government are needed so that the public understands the management of household medical waste properly. In addition, technological innovation is also needed to convert PPE waste made of plastic polymers into materials that are beneficial to the community.

Keyword: Medical Mask, Covid 19, danger mask, type of mask.

 A surgical mask, also known as a medical facial mask, is a self-protection device worn by health-care workers during medical procedures. When properly used can prevent airborne infections between the patient and/or the attendant by obstructing the movement of pathogens (particularly bacteria and viruses) spilled in respiratory drops and aerosols into and from the wearer's mouth and nose.

 Medical masks have been used to prevent the spread of the corona covid-19 virus in a recent year. Because the use of a mask is an effective deterrent to protection.

 But medical masks made of microfiber plastics can contribute to the current plastic problem in the world.

 Researchers believe that nearly 130 billion medical masks are used every month globally. That is, about 3 million masks are removed per minute and there are no guidelines on the recycling of masks.

 If the use of these waste masks increases. Thus, the environment and wildlife will be affected by this medical waste. Disposable masks may accumulate and release harmful chemical and biological agents, such as bisphenol a, heavy metals, and pathogens.

 Additionally, the absorption of small plastic particles can also cause adverse health effects in three ways: particle toxicity, chemical toxicity, and microorgan vector.

According to WHO data, poor medical waste management can trigger the following dangers: 

•  Medical waste infection usually contains pathogen causes infection, namely virus bacteria. Medical waste often causes respiratory infections such as uberkulosis, streptococcus pneumonia, and viruses such as measles, which is balatedia due to incorrect waste disposal. In addition, medical waste also increases the risk of hepatitis A, B, or C, to HIV and AIDS that can be contagious through blood contaminated or body fluids. 
• Dangerous chemicals Medical waste often contains harmful chemicals. If it is not discarded properly, it can trigger poisoning. Chemicals in medical waste can also increase the risk of respiratory or skin diseases. 
• The genotoxic substances from Finland found that genotkskic substances in the MEASS waste can increase the risk of miscarriage. In addition, genotoxicic substances can increase mutagenic compounds in the body. This compound can cause genetic mutations on human DNA, which can trigger cancer on somatic cells. When this substance affects the germ cell (cells that form sperm and eggs), can cause damage to our offspring. 
• Radioactive substances Exposure of radioactive substances can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting radioactive substances also boss causes burns on skin or acute radiation syndrome. This substance can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. In fact, exposure to radioactive substances can also cause death.

The use of masks to obligation after WHO announced the Covid-19 pandemic as a global emergency. The use of masks to one of the three most important things in the prevention of transmission of COVID-19 which must be conducted when outdoor activities. Two other things are keeping the distance at least one meter and diligently wash hands. The main function of the mask is blocking the liquid (droplet) or air particles out of its use as he speaks, cough, or sneezing. The mask also helps block the droplets of others attached to the face and find the way into the body. Now many types of masks are available with their respective functionality and use. Before specifying the option, recognize some of the following types and functions of the mask to make it not select wrong. Here are some types of masks following functions and benefits:

It is recommended to use a cloth mask to prevent the spread of the virus. Because of the reasons for the availability of limited surgical masks, both the who and the government are recommending that ordinary people wear at least a cloth mask.

 The who requires the use of a three-layer cloth mask. The first layer is recommended to use a material that can absorb droplet. The second layer may be tissue lining or is likened to the material in the first layer. A third layer, or hydropobic, outer layer, the kind of material that prevents droplet from coming in. This triple-layer cloth mask effectively holds back about 70 percent of droplet particles.

A surgical mask or what might be called a medical mask, usually green or blue. This type of mask holds up a droplet of about 80-90 percent. This mask can only be used once in a four-hour time.

 This mask is especially vital for patients who are ill and health workers who are not directly treating covid-19 patients. A covid-19 patient is directly required to wear a n-95 mask and apd level 3.

 N95 respirator mask

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 The respirator or also called the n95 respirator mask, designed to protect the wearer from small particles in the air that may contain the virus.

 The n95 designation means the mask can filter 95% of the smaller 0.3 microns from the air.

 The virus from the coronavirus family is quite large (at least by viral standards), with an average size just over 0.1 micron. So theoretically, some of the virus particles can still penetrate the n95 respirator masks. In addition, the n95 respirator masks are not designed for children or people with facial hair.

The proper effect of wearing a mask was covering the face from the nose to the bottom of the chin. Tighten the nose back and edges of the mask so as not to droplet leaves the area.

 Do not let your nose be distressed by the tightening of the mask wear comfortably so as not to be tempted to touch the outside of the mask. Touching the outside of the current mask risks transmitting a virus or feces into your hands and reducing its effectiveness.

The harmful effects of disposable medical mask waste: 

1. Environmental pollution and damage to ecosystems are detrimental to plants, animals and humans 
2. An increase in the generation of abandoned medical waste can cause disease 
3. Overload the hospital area capacity tempat 
4. Misuse of used masks by irresponsible persons 
5. Indiscriminate disposal of waste, especially into water. If disposable mask waste is not collected and managed properly then masks can move from land to fresh water and sea through surface runoff, river flow, ocean currents, wind and animals. As happened in the Citarup river is a dumping ground for waste or giant garbage, the Citarup River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. 
6. Increased risk of spreading infection in the community because masks are not managed properly.

How to prevent waste from disposable masks:

1. Collect the mask and place it in a densely sealed plastic container, selected or soaked with chlorine or soap.
2. Masks and straps are cut or broken and into environmentally friendly paper or plastic bags.
3. Remove the mask at the drop box of waste or covered bins.
4. The cleaning woman would take medical waste to a temporary shelter. Medical waste, in turn, would be transported and run by local or third authorities.
5. Use the fabric mask to reduce the waste of the mask to keep them safe from the spread of the covid virus 19.

The danger of medical mask waste to the environment has a major impact on health. If not handled, these wastes will not only cause environmental problems, but also become a medium for disease transmission. therefore let's manage medical mask waste properly. It is recommended to use a cloth mask that can be used repeatedly by always washing after use.

The stages of handling the waste of used disposable masks in the community. First collect the mask and put it in a plastic container that can be tightly closed, disinfected or soaked in chlorine or soap. The mask and rope are cut or tampered with and then put in a paper or environmentally friendly plastic bag, dispose of in a waste trash drop box or closed trash can. After that, the cleaning staff will carry out the transportation of medical waste to a temporary shelter. Furthermore, medical waste will be transported and managed by local governments or third parties.

REFERENCE 

Cesar Uji Tawakal, Shevinna Putti Anggraeni. 2021. Bahaya limbah masker medis yabg menumpuk. Suara.com

Fatimah Adtya, Aldzah.  2021. 6 Dampak Limbah Masker Medis. Jakarta: IDN Times

Cordova, M.R., Nurhati, I.S., Riani, E., Nurhasanah, Iswari, M.Y., 2021. Unprecedented plastic-made personal protective equipment (PPE) debris in river outlets into Jakarta Bay during COVID-19 pandemic. Chemosphere 268, 129360. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129360

Kementerian Kesehatan, 2020. Ayo Kita Kelola Limbah Infeksius Covid-19 Di Rumah Tangga Dengan Aman. Jakarta.

 Pusparisa,Yosepha. 2021. Cegah bahaya masker medis. Kotadata.co.id

 Puspita anggraeni, ariska. 2021. Bahaya limbah masker tidak dikelola dengan benar. Jakarta:kompas.com

https://www.buddies.co.id/kenali-jenis-jenis-masker-keunggulan-dan-cara-penggunaannya/