Main image via Facebook
Most of the focus of the world has been on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and for good reason. People everywhere are taking every step possible to ensure that they are safe including wearing face masks and sanitizing their hands.
Unfortunately, a new environmental problem has surfaced from these safety measures.
Disposable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been found littering the ocean and it’s definitely something to worry about.
Image via Facebook
With so many around the world putting on PPE to protect themselves, streets have been filled with used masks and gloves and now, the PPE has made its way into the ocean.
Non-profit organization Opération Mer Propre have taken to Facebook to share and raise concerns about the improper disposal of PPE after coming across several face masks while litter-picking along the French Riviera.
“Operation COVID-19 this morning… this is the first disposable masks to arrive in the Mediterranean…!” the non-profit wrote on the Facebook post along with some pictures.
“Unfortunately, it was expected to see the number of masks and gloves thrown directly into the gutters… more than ever we will have to take action against all these incivilities, from cans to masks because whoever throws his can will also throw his mask…! It’s just the beginning and if nothing changes, it will become a real ecological disaster and maybe even health!” the post continued.
Opération Mer Propre’s Laurent Lambord also took to Facebook to express his concerns saying, “Knowing that more than 2 billion disposable masks have been ordered, soon there will be more masks than jellyfish in the waters of the Mediterranean.”
Although disposable masks help people to protect themselves from the virus, the protection is short-term, but the PPE’s effect on the environment is long-term and detrimental.
According to Treehugger, masks have an estimated lifespan of 450 years in the natural environment, making them “veritable ecological time bombs given their lasting environmental consequences for our planet.”
Image via Facebook
The Mediterranean Sea is not alone in facing this environmental issue. Many masks and PPE have also been found on the beaches of Asia.
Gary Stokes of OceansAsia shared that he had found about 70 masks on a beach that was 100m long.
“On a beach about 100 metres long, we found about 70,” he said. One week later, another 30 masks had washed up. “And that’s on an uninhabited island in the middle of nowhere.”
“We’re finding them everywhere,” Gary added noting that he had checked other nearby beaches to see how far the masks had travelled. “Ever since society started wearing masks, the cause and effects are being seen on the beaches.”
“It’s just another item of marine debris,” he said, likening the masks to plastic bags or straws that often wash up on the city’s more remote shorelines. “It’s no better, no worse, just another item we’re leaving as a legacy to the next generation.”
Image via Facebook
It’s sad to see that the environment has yet again become victim to irresponsible humans.
Please be sure to do all you can to properly dispose your PPE and if possible, get yourself a reusable face-mask!
Image via Facebook
Stay safe and stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
Info via Unilad