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Review
. 2022 Aug;29(37):55528-55540.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-21086-0. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Accumulation of biomedical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic: concerns and strategies for effective treatment

Pon Pavithiran Kuppusamy  1 , Arpit Bhatia  1 , Anmol Verma  1 , Nehal Ratnesh Shah  1 , Prakash Pratyush  1 , Vigneswaran Shanmugarajan  2 , Sung Chul Kim #  3 , GaneshKumar Poongavanam  4   5 , Sakthivadivel Duraisamy #  1
Affiliations
Review

Accumulation of biomedical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic: concerns and strategies for effective treatment

Pon Pavithiran Kuppusamy et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

This study deals with the pollution impact of biomedical waste (BMW) generation due to the COVID-19 pandemic at both the global and national levels. This discussion is important in light of clear scientific evidence that, apart from the airborne transmission of the disease, the virus also survives on different surfaces and poses the risk of infection. Moreover, an investigation is conducted on BMW generation in tons/day in India during the COVID-19 period, with implications for future projection. Additionally, a pioneering study was conducted to estimate the usage of facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. This paper also provides a feasible solution, by adopting a modern perspective, towards managing BMW generated in the context of SARS-CoV-2 at isolation wards and crematoriums. Strategical approaches have been suggested for segregating and safely disposing BMW. The latest availability of disposal facilities is discussed based on source data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India. Among the many disposal methods, incineration technologies are examined in depth. The impact of existing incineration technology on the environment and human health has been extensively studied. This study suggests strategies for controlling BMW generation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Crematorium; Disposal practices; Facemask disposal; Incineration; Personal protective equipment; SARS-CoV-2; Waste management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Decay time of the coronavirus (Suman et al. ; Tripathi et al. 2020) (in hours)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overview of healthcare solid waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic (Behera 2021)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
COVID-19 BMW produced by different countries (Sangkham 2020)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Variation in BMW generation corresponds to COVID-19 cases
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Statewide BMW generation (tons/day) during the COVID-19 pandemic
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Estimated daily facemask usage in India corresponding to confirmed COVID-19 cases
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Segregation of BMW in respective color-coded containers
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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