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A new source of plastic pollution has emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic — single-use personal protective equipment (PPE). Increases in the global production, consumption, and disposal of PPE have created a staggering amount of plastic waste. Before the onset of the pandemic, PPE litter was essentially non-existent. Now PPE items like disposable masks, gloves, and disinfectant wipes are littered everywhere including sidewalks, parking lots, green spaces, and even in our water.
In Ontario, mask mandates were implemented as a part of the public strategy to reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unfortunately, these measures are also the primary drivers of the PPE crisis we now face. A University of Portsmouth study compiled data from 11 countries, including Canada, to investigate changes in littering during the first wave of COVID-19. There was a direct correlation between COVID-19 legislation and PPE waste, with a more than 80-fold increase in mask litter attributed to pandemic mitigation.
Although single-use masks appear to be made of paper or fabric, they are typically made of polypropylene, a type of plastic that can take decades if not centuries to degrade. Given this, PPE litter is likely to persist in the environment and have a lasting effect.
PPE has quickly become one of the most common types of litter found in the environment with devastating impacts. There are countless reports of birds, fish, and other animals dying after ingesting or becoming entangled in PPE. Animals that consume PPE also suffer from the consequences of toxic chemicals that can leach from plastic waste. When PPE enters the environment, it can cause blockages in drainage systems, or smother the ground, making it difficult for small organisms and plants to survive. If PPE is discarded by an infected person, PPE can even act as a viral vector that transmits the virus!
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a tremendous strain on waste management systems worldwide. According to the WHO director of the Department of Public Health and Environment, Dr. Maria Neira, the pandemic highlighted issues with our production, use, and disposal of PPE. Billions of single-use masks and other PPE items were purchased in response to COVID-19; however, how these items were disposed of was largely neglected. To prevent these items from entering and damaging the environment, we need clear policies and legislation for the management and disposal of PPE.
Most mask mandates were lifted in Ontario on March 21, but the damage has already been done. Ecosystems across the province are now polluted with discarded PPE and we are left to deal with the consequences. A bleak future lies ahead unless this global environmental emergency is dealt with quickly and effectively. How can you help? First, ensure you are properly disposing of PPE. Second, you can pick up PPE litter in your neighbourhood. Third, you can contribute to pollution research by entering the litter you find on apps like the Marine Debris Tracker. Through collective action, we can make a difference and create a healthier future for ourselves and the planet.
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