The impact of medical waste on wildlife after one year of the pandemic

The waste problem in our country is still an unsolved problem. The high volume of waste is not matched by good waste management. Inadequate waste sorting facilities and the lack of public awareness in disposing of waste in its proper place add to the unresolved waste problem. Even during this pandemic, Indonesian Institute of Sciences research results (LIPI) in April-May 2020 it's already shown an increase in the volume of plastic waste. This is due to the increasing use of plastic wrap from online shopping transactions. The general waste management business has not yet been completed, After one year of the pandemic, we have to face an additional problem, namely medical waste.

The amount of medical waste increases during the pandemic

The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has led to an increase in single-use medical waste such as masks, gloves, and hazmat used by health workers and individuals. Based on data from the Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health), In one month after the first case of COVID-19 appeared in Indonesia, the generation of medical waste reached 294,66 tons per day. This number continues to increase along with the rapid increase in daily infection cases. The increase reached 30-50% or 1.662,75 tons based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). The addition of medical waste occurs evenly in almost all parts of Indonesia. The medical waste comes from various health care facilities, namely: 2.889 hospital, 10.062 Public health center, 7.641 clinic, 26.418 pharmacy, 146 referral hospital, as well as 48 PCR laboratory. Apart from the health service center, Medical waste is also generated from various households, especially waste in the form of disposable masks and latex gloves.

Medical waste management is not optimal

It's the same with the problem of plastic waste, The increasing volume of medical waste is not matched by adequate management facilities. Medical waste cannot be disposed of carelessly and must be managed specifically because it can be a source of contamination for various infectious diseases. So that the transmission of diseases such as COVID-19 through contact with medical waste is very potential. Very few places or medical waste management companies, there is only 15 locations throughout Indonesia. This certainly cannot keep up with the increasing volume of medical waste. As a result, a lot of medical waste was found in the landfill. The increase in the volume of waste is also supported by the large amount of household waste (including disposable masks) which is not well managed. The lack of public knowledge in managing waste independently causes an increase in the volume of waste that goes to the TPA.

Threats to wildlife conservation

Apart from being a threat to health, Medical waste that is not managed properly also threatens environmental sustainability. The majority of medical waste is made of plastic containing polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Disposal of infectious waste must also be lined with plastic bags so that the burden of handling plastic waste increases. The waste cannot be recycled because it is dangerous and very difficult to decompose (takes tens to hundreds of years). Even if it breaks, it can increase the number of microplastics in the environment and food chain. The increasing volume of medical waste also increases the amount that is wasted in the ocean. It can lead to very dangerous pollution and threaten ocean life globally. Based on the results of the LIPI study, Per 100 square meters of coral reefs can be found approx 30 rubbish.

Unmanaged and carelessly disposed medical waste also endangers various wildlife, like trash disposable masks. The mask strap can trap the bird's feet, causing difficulty in moving and flying. As happened in England, a seagull almost died from being caught in a mask strap for a week before being rescued. In Malaysia, there is also a case of a monkey who almost died from chewing on the straps of a disposable mask that was thrown away carelessly. Various marine animals also died from chewing mask waste. In Brazil, Mask trash found in dead penguin's stomach. Pufferfish and crabs were also found dead from being entangled in mask waste in Miami and France.

Various efforts and education are needed to the public about how waste should be disposed of according to its type so that no more waste is disposed of carelessly and is harmful to humans and the surrounding nature..

Source:

• https://tirto.id/memetik-beban-pencemaran-dari-limbah-medis-selama-pandemi-covid-19-f9Pz
• https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2020/07/03/070200865/menyoroti-pembuangan-limbah-medis-pada-masa-pandemi-virus-corona-
• https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/majalah-54640725
• https://bangka.sonora.id/read/502544849/waspada-limbah-masker-sekali-pakai-bisa-mengancam-habitat-hewan
• https://www.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20210112102459-269-592518/ramai-kasus-hewan-liar-terjerat-tersedak-sampah-masker
• https://www.greeners.co/berita/terumbu-karang-terancam-oleh-sampah-medis-akibat-covid-19/

Be a part of SCENTS mission to save beautiful creatures from illegal wildlife trafficking