Management of Used COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment: A Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review

Abstract

Using a science mapping approach, we analyzed the exponential increase in the number of scientific documents about the negative environmental impacts produced by waste from personal protective equipment (PPE), especially face masks, used to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission worldwide. Our results revealed that India, China, and Canada are leaders in this research field, which is clearly related to environmental issues, but also the solutions developed from an engineering point of view. Our analysis of the most-relevant documents in the field uncovered the considerable negative effects of PPE waste in aquatic media, its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, effects on wildlife, etc. To reduce the negative environmental impacts of PPE waste, we need to implement innovative ecodesign strategies for their green production, including their re-use as and the use of recycling materials, but also a collaboration with the population to reduce PPE waste at its source. Both action lines could be materialized by establishing a collective, extended producer responsibility system for PPE to ensure their sustainable production and consumption. These well-implemented strategies will contribute to maintaining progress towards achieving sustainable development goals.

A Concise Review of The Role of Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles and Nanomedicine Play in The Diagnostics, Vaccination and Treatment Options For COVID-19

“…The mask provides protection to the person wearing it and also gives some degree of protection the surroundings. Masks used as PPE have been placed into 3 groups as per the types of filters they have: disposable one-use masks, respirator masks as well as surgical masks (see Figure 13 above) [5,6,[40][41][42][43][44][45]. The gold standards in a mask have the ability of filtering out bio-aerosols efficiently while giving the person wearing it proper comfort.…”

“…At the same time, when designing a PPE mask, several other factors such as levels of humidity, ambient temperature, the airflow patterns and most importantly the properties of the material used as all this has a significant impact on the mask's filtration effectiveness and quality. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, nanomaterials combined with textiles of choice, provided efficient options for constructing effective masks [5,6,[40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

“…As an example, nano-fibers and nanoparticles were able to enhance the antiviral characteristics, filtration ability and the breathability features of the COVID-19 masks. Nano-fibers produced through electro-spinning technologies have proven to be extremely useful materials as their average fiber diameters fall within the nanometer range and they have high surface area to volume ratio which gives the needed functional properties of an ideal anti-COVID face mask [5,6,[40][41][42][43][44][45]. The different types of nanotechnology-based nanoparticles being used in the various prevention and COVID-19 PPE gear is shown in summary in (see Figure 14 below) [1,43].…”