Environmental survival of SARS-CoV-2 - A solid waste perspective

Abstract

The advent of COVID-19 has kept the whole world on their toes. Countries are maximizing their efforts to combat the virus and to minimize the infection. Since infectious microorganisms may be transmitted by variety of routes, respiratory and facial protection is required for those that are usually transmitted via droplets/aerosols. Therefore this pandemic has caused a sudden increase in the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and many other important items since, the evidence of individual-to-individual transmission (through respiratory droplets/coughing) and secondary infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). But the disposal of these personal protective measures remains a huge question mark towards the environmental impact. Huge waste generation demands proper segregation according to waste types, collection, and recycling to minimize the risk of infection spread through aerosols and attempts to implement measures to monitor infections. Hence, this review focuses on the impact of environment due to improper disposal of these personal protective measures and to investigate the safe disposal methods for these protective measures by using the safe, secure and innovative biological methods such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ultraviolet (UV) lights for killing such deadly viruses.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Biomedical waste; Biomedical waste management; COVID-19; Environmental damage; Personnel protective equipment (PPE).

Fig. 1

Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on various substances: This figure represents the survival period of SARS-CoV-2 on various substances. The improper management of the produced waste during this pandemic may present serious environmental and health related issues because of the fact that SARS-CoV-2 can survive from several hours to days depending upon the contaminated surfaces.

Fig. 2

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 due to improper handling of Biomedical Waste: This figure illustrates the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus and the symptoms associated to it. On the other hand it represents the safety and prevention of the infectious disease. For prevention one has to wash and sanitize the hands frequently, disinfect the surfaces and maintain social distancing. The utilized products such as mask, kitchen wastages need to be stored in yellow bag and shifted to local municipal leaders. Medical wastages such as plastic bottles, goggles, aprons, swab, gloves and face-shield should be stored in the red sack and hand-over to local municipal leaders. If this is not done properly, it will increase the transmission of infectious diseases. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 3

An Overview of Innovative approach for Biomedical Waste Management: This figure depicts the various colour codes that are used for disposing various biomedical wastes. Further we have showed two innovative approaches to kill SARS-CoV-2 viruses that will be present on the biomedical waste which are the artificial intelligence and ultraviolet lights. These techniques can easily handle and destroy the viruses without further spreading the virus. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 4

Use of Robotics and Sensors for COVID-19 waste management: This figure depicts an mechanistic details about the use of robotics and sensors in waste bins to manage the COVID-19 waste management. This picture shows that the sensors in robotic bins would help the worker to detect whether the bin is full or it can be loaded with the waste or using the Wi-Fi which will be enabled in it. This will lead to minimal exposure of workers to the COVID-19 related waste.