Challenges of Personal Protective Equipment Kits Encountered in Healthcare Sector and Environment Amidst Covid-19

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IJEP 42(6): 730-737 : Vol. 42 Issue. 6 (June 2022)

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Shilpi Agarwal1, Shailey Singhal1, Jyoti Upadhyay2 and Kanchan Deoli Bahukhandi3*

1. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Department of Chemistry, Bidholi, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India
2. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Department of Health, Safety and Environment, School of Engineering, Bidholi, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India
3. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, School of Health Sciences, Bidholi, Dehradun-248 007, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

SARS COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the world at various levels resulting in human loss, economic loss and environmental loss. In order to prevent the further transmission of COVID-19, a number of protective measures have been recommended and adopted by people, namely use of sanitizers, goggles, aprons, face covering, gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits. Use of PPE kits has been very effective for health workers, such as doctors, nurses and policemen, however, the associated challenges including aftereffects of using PPE kits cannot be ignored completely. Same situation is being faced globally as people are using a giant volume of PPE in order to protect themselves from COVID-19 pandemic and its excessive use is generating huge quantity of PPE waste. This waste is causing huge environmental degradation, namely contamination of water, air and soil quality. In this paper an attempt has been made to describe the impact of PPE kits on human beings and global environment due to improper disposal methods. It also highlights the skin and respiratory problems confronted by healthcare workers caused by the use of PPE kits for extended hours indicating its long term impact on healthy living. A sustainable way of disposal and management of PPE waste has also been described.

Keywords

Personal protective equipment, Injury, Infection, Environment, Waste, Disposal

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