Used masks, gloves on roads pose health risk

Coimbatore: At a time when government authorities have been going all out to ensure that people wear face masks in public places, the disposal and handling of used masks and gloves leaves much to be desired.
Single use masks and gloves can be found scattered across the entire stretch of Gandhipuram second level flyover, only one among several localities where masks and gloves can be found scattered all around.
A sanitary worker said he has been picking over ten used masks – mostly single use masks – from the roadside daily for almost a month now. “Often, used masks are found on main roads, residential areas and in storm water drains,” he said.
Workers like him are tired of asking the general public to segregate and wrap used masks before handing it over to them. “While some families go to the extent of disinfecting the used masks before wrapping it in multiple covers, there are people who just dump it along with degradable waste. Instead of segregating it, they just give us an excuse or the other. As we would be questioned by our superiors while handing over the waste for treatment, we are left with no option but to segregate it by ourselves,” said another sanitary worker.
Acknowledging that used masks are often found mixed with solid waste, a source privy to the waste management said, “since day one, the corporation has been asking the public to segregate and wrap used masks and gloves before handing it over to the workers. The workers in turn have been asked to handover biomedical waste separately to their supervisors. But neither the public nor workers have followed instructions properly.”
Pointing out that used masks are also infectious and harmful to handpick, the source said that it is high time adequate measures were taken to streamline collection and disposal of biomedical waste.
A senior official from corporation said, “Things can be properly implemented in the city only with the cooperation of the public. Behavioural change should take place and community participation should increase to attain good results.”