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The masked horror
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With millions of face masks disposed daily, a new environmental and health hazard is in the making.
For more than two years, the use of face masks has been prevalent due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the proper disposal of masks has failed to gain attention.
Chief Medical Officer of Health – Colombo Municipal Council, Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni, cautioned the public, pointing out that the improper disposal of masks could cause a health hazard as well an environmental issue.
He said that an estimated 16 million of the population wear masks daily and about 12 million of them maybe disposed daily.
He added that the main concern was that masks were disposed of in public places, drains and where people gather.
Story and pix by Akila Jayawardana
“Since most masks are made of synthetic material, they do not decompose. It may take 50-60 years to decompose,” he said.
He said garbage collectors face serious health issues as masks are considered bio hazardous waste as it could spread influenza, contain other bacteria and viruses.
He said though within the CMC area the workers are provided with gloves and sanitizer facilities, in some instances they are not used.
He warned that improper disposal of masks could clog drains and underground drainage systems resulting in overflowing storm and waste waster drains. They also cause harm to wild life. “People should have a civic responsibility, and used masks should be disposed in a hygenic manner,” he said.
Dr Wijayamuni said that as masks are a hazardous waste, they should be incinerated.
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