Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic along the shoreline of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution has become one of the most pending environmental challenges resulting from the pandemic. While various studies investigated PPE pollution in the marine environment, freshwater bodies have been largely overlooked. In the present study, PPE monitoring was carried out in the vicinity of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. PPE density, types, and chemical composition (FTIR spectroscopy) were reported. A total of 221 PPEs were identified with a density ranging from 1.22 × 10 −5 PPE m −2 (control site S1) to 2.88× 10 −4 PPE m −2 with a mean density of 1.54 × 10 −4 ± 2.58 × 10 −5 PPE m −2 . Mismanaged PPE waste was found in all the sampling sites, mostly consisting of surgical face masks (93.7%). Statistical analyzes revealed significantly higher PPE densities in sites where several recreational, touristic, and commercial activities take place, thus, revealing the main sources of PPE pollution. Furthermore, polypropylene and polyester fabrics were identified as the main components of surgical and reusable cloth masks, respectively. Given the hazard that PPEs represent to aquatic biota (e.g., entanglement, ingestion) and their ability to release microplastics (MPs), it is necessary to implement sufficient solid waste management plans and infrastructure where lake activities take place. Additionally, local authorities must promote and ensure sustainable tourism in order to maintain the ecosystems in Lake Tana. Prospective research priorities regarding the colonization and degradation of PPE, as well as the release of toxic chemicals, were identified and discussed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in coastal environment, Southeast Coast of India

“…The mean densities found in this paper are comparable to previous studies, as presented in Table 2 . The density registered in this paper was much lower than values reported from Lima, Peru ( De-la-Torre et al, 2021b ), Argentina ( De-la-Torre et al, 2022 ), Brazil ( Ribeiro et al, 2022 ), Ethiopia ( Aragaw et al, 2022 ), Iran ( Hatami et al, 2022 ) and Agadir, Morocco ( Ben Haddad et al, 2021 ). Simultaneously, the mean density was lower than that reported from the beaches of the Cox's Bazar coast ( Rakib et al, 2021 ) and the Chilean coast ( Thiel et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The lowest total number of PPE was registered during the last sampling campaign. Aragaw et al (2022) and Hatimi et al (2022) also documented the decline in the number of PPE during the last sampling in Ethiopia and Iran respectively. This may be due to various causes regarding the progression of the pandemic and the rate of use and disposal of face masks.…”

“…These PPE are transported from area to area by wind, rivers, streams and water or human activities ( Patrício Silva et al, 2021 ). Recent studies shows that, the occurrence of PPE pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in the cities, lakes, and beach environment gets more attention in worldwide ( Ammendolia et al, 2021 ; Aragaw, 2020 ; Ardusso et al, 2021 ; Akhbarizadeh et al, 2021 , Akhbarizadeh et al, 2021 ; Cordova et al, 2021 ; Ben Haddad et al, 2021 ; De-la-Torre et al, 2021b ; De-la-Torre et al, 2022 ; Hassan et al, 2021 ; Patrício Silva et al, 2020 ; Rakib et al, 2021 ; Aragaw et al, 2022 ; Hatami et al, 2022 ; Mghili et al, 2022).…”

“…Face shields and hazard suits were not found in the beaches. The predominance of face masks has been reported in coastal zones of different countries, including Morocco ( Ben Haddad et al, 2021 ; Mghili et al, 2022), Peru ( De-la-Torre et al, 2021b ; De-la-Torre et al, 2022 ), Bangladesh ( Rakib et al, 2021 ), Brazil ( Ribeiro et al, 2022 ), Ethiopia ( Aragaw et al, 2022 ) and Iran ( Hatami et al, 2022 ). In Argentina, however, the number of gloves equaled to the number of face masks (48% each) found in 15 sites along the coast ( De-la-Torre et al, 2022 ).…”

Understanding disposable plastics effects generated from the PCR testing labs during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Scholars have been extensively investigating personal protective equipment (PPE) prevalence, pollution, and impacts on the freshwater environment and coastal environment during COVID 19 pandemic ( Mvovo and Magagula, 2022 ). Abundantly surveyed types of PPE are face masks, and analytical characterization confirmed that they are made of polypropylene and polyethylene polymers ( Aragaw et al, 2022 , De-la-Torre et al, 2022 ). One preliminary work on plastic residues produced with confirmatory testing for COVID-19: Classification, quantification, fate, and impacts on human health have highlighted the year later the beginning era of the pandemic ( Celis et al, 2021 ).…”