Coronavirus Pandemic Raises Question about Medical Waste
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22 April 2020 13:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The large-scale social restriction (PSBB) protocol imposed in the capital city of Jakarta and other major cities reduced the number of human activities and emission levels. However, another potential problem in the form of medical waste is seen as a future threat amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“On one side, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced emission gasses, on the other hand, there comes a threat of wastes that are produced from human activities in fighting the virus,” said the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) deputy of sciences, Agus Haryono.
The high number of positive coronavirus patients will eventually lead to a multitude of medical waste such as used syringes, infusion bags, and disinfectants, which could potentially be a vehicle to help spread diseases. However, all of the wastes are categorized as B3 wastes that are overseen by a strict protocol.
“The correct disposal procedure must be closely followed so that the medical wastes will not pose a hazard for other life forms or the environment,” said Agus.
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