FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS (FCI)

BACHELOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (DATA SCIENCE)

HC14

MARINE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

UL03202 (SECTION 1)

ASSIGNMENT 3:

CURRENT ISSUES IN MARINE ENVIRONMENT

PREPARED BY:

SIDNEY ALLISTER FRANKIE BI20160335

PREPARED FOR:

MR. KENNEDY AARON AGUOL

SUBMITTED DATE:

17 DECEMBER 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
1.0 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................3

2.0 HYPOTHESIS.............................................................................................................3

3.0 COMPILATIONS OF DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCES......................................................4

3.1 Article - ‘More masks than jellyfish’: coronavirus waste ends up in ocean by Ashifa
Kassam........................................................................................................................4

3.2 E-News – Coronavirus: Pandemic ‘causing new wave’ of plastic pollution by BBC
News 8

3.3 Article – Where did 5,500 tonnes of discarded face masks end up? by Jenny Yeh. 13

3.4 Article – PPE: Polluting Planet Earth by R. Dean......................................................19

3.5 E-News – Five things you should know about disposable masks and plastic pollution
by UN News...............................................................................................................20

3.6 Article – Coronavirus PPE pollution: Can we stop the mounting plastic pandemic? 25

3.7 E-News – Danger! Used face masks are toxic waste................................................27

4.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..............................................................................................31

5.0 REFERENCES...........................................................................................................32

2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This year has been extraordinary since we are facing COVID-19, a global pandemic where
using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as disposable masks and latex gloves
become our new norms. The heavy usage of PPE inevitably contributes to pollution of the
environment especially seas and lakes as well as putting the animals in danger. The reason
why I choose this particular topic is to raise awareness to people about how bad the usage
of PPE affects the environment and marine community development. Even though we’re in
the middle of a pandemic, we can’t deny the health of mother nature. We have to take care
of ourselves as well as the environment.

2.0 HYPOTHESIS
H 0: Heavy usage of PPE WILL NOT affect marine community development and the
environment.

H 1: Heavy usage of PPE WILL affect marine community development and the
environment.

3
3.0 COMPILATIONS OF DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCES
3.1 Article - ‘More masks than jellyfish’: coronavirus waste ends up in ocean
by Ashifa Kassam

'More masks than jellyfish': coronavirus waste ends up in ocean

This article is more than 6 months old

A glut of discarded single-use masks and gloves is washing up on shorelines and littering the
seabed

Conservationists have warned that the coronavirus pandemic could spark a surge in ocean
pollution – adding to a glut of plastic waste that already threatens marine life – after finding
disposable masks floating like jellyfish and waterlogged latex gloves scattered across
seabeds.

The French non-profit Opération Mer Propre, whose activities include regularly picking up
litter along the Côte d’Azur, began sounding the alarm late last month.

4
Divers had found what Joffrey Peltier of the organisation described as “Covid waste” –
dozens of gloves, masks and bottles of hand sanitiser beneath the waves of the
Mediterranean, mixed in with the usual litter of disposable cups and aluminium cans. 

The quantities of masks and gloves found were far from enormous, said Peltier. But he
worried that the discovery hinted at a new kind of pollution, one set to become ubiquitous
after millions around the world turned to single-use plastics to combat the coronavirus. “It’s
the promise of pollution to come if nothing is done,” said Peltier. In France alone, authorities
have ordered two billion disposable masks, said Laurent Lombard of Opération Mer Propre.
“Knowing that … soon we’ll run the risk of having more masks than jellyfish in the
Mediterranean,” he wrote on social media alongside video of a dive showing algae-
entangled masks and soiled gloves in the sea near Antibes.

The group hopes the images will prompt people to embrace reusable masks and swap latex
gloves for more frequent handwashing. “With all the alternatives, plastic isn’t the solution to
protect us from Covid. That’s the message,” said Peltier.

In the years leading up to the pandemic, environmentalists had warned of the threat posed
to oceans and marine life by skyrocketing plastic pollution. As much as 13 million tonnes of
plastic goes into oceans each year, according to a 2018 estimate by UN Environment. The
Mediterranean sees 570,000 tonnes of plastic flow into it annually – an amount the WWF
has described as equal to dumping 33,800 plastic bottles every minute into the sea.

These figures risk growing substantially as countries around the world confront the
coronavirus pandemic. Masks often contain plastics such as polypropylene, said Éric Pauget,
a French politician whose region includes the Côte d’Azur.

5
“With a lifespan of 450 years, these masks are an ecological timebomb given their lasting
environmental consequences for our planet,” he wrote last month in a letter to Emmanuel
Macron, calling on the French president to do more to address the environmental
consequences of disposable masks.

Earlier this year the Hong Kong-based OceansAsia began voicing similar concerns, after a
survey of marine debris in the city’s uninhabited Soko Islands turned up dozens of
disposable masks.

“On a beach about 100 metres long, we found about 70,” said Gary Stokes of OceansAsia.
One week later, another 30 masks had washed up. “And that’s on an uninhabited island in
the middle of nowhere.”

Curious to see how far the masks had travelled, he began checking other nearby beaches.
“We’re finding them everywhere,” he said. “Ever since society started wearing masks, the
cause and effects are being seen on the beaches.”

While some of the debris could be attributed to carelessness, he speculated that the
lightweight masks were at times also being carried from land, boats and landfills by the
wind.

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“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.” 

Still, given the likelihood that porpoises and dolphins in the region could mistake a mask for
food, he was bracing himself for a grim find. “We’re constantly getting them washing up
dead and we’re just waiting for a necropsy when we find a mask inside,” he said. “I think it’s
inevitable.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/08/more-masks-than-
jellyfish-coronavirus-waste-ends-up-in-ocean

7
3.2 E-News – Coronavirus: Pandemic ‘causing new wave’ of plastic pollution
by BBC News

Coronavirus: Pandemic 'causing new wave' of plastic pollution

Published: 31 August 2020

A charity that cleans up beaches says the coronavirus pandemic has caused a
new wave of plastic pollution.

Surfers Against Sewage says it has seen an "explosion" of discarded masks and plastics on
beaches and in rivers.

The group claims businesses are using the pandemic to revert to using huge amounts of
single-use plastic.

From September, it plans to name and shame on social media individual companies whose
waste its members most regularly find.

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Jack Middleton from Cornwall-based Surfers Against Sewage said: "Since lockdown has
started to be lifted, we've witnessed a new wave of plastic pollution littering our beaches in
the form of disposable masks and gloves.

"While the PPE has helped to save lives over the past few months, we now need to consider
how we dispose of it properly to prevent it from flowing into our rivers and oceans and
destroying our beaches.

"We're used to seeing plastic bottles and bags when we're surfing but this new type of
plastic pollution is something that no-one could have foreseen."

Mr Middleton encouraged people to use reusable face masks and said measures introduced
to help businesses during lockdown were undermining the battle against plastic pollution.

9
"We have seen the government roll back on the progress we have made in tackling the
plastic pollution crisis," he said.

"The 5p plastic bag charge has been waived for food deliveries and the ban on straws,
stirrers and cotton-bud sticks that was just weeks away from being introduced has been
postponed."

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From 5 September to 18 October, Surfers Against Sewage will be launching a campaign
called The Generation Sea: Plastic Protest aimed at encouraging grass-roots action across
the UK.

As well as 600 beach and river clean, the campaign will also involve highlighting the brands
whose packaging is found most regularly.

Under a measure called Return to Offender, plastic items will be displayed on social media
to name and shame the companies responsible for the products.

11
PPE litter increasing

Charlotte England takes part in mass clean-ups in Bristol along the River Avon through the
city centre.

The 32-year-old says she has noticed increasing amounts of PPE, particularly face masks,
among the litter she cleans up.

"You see the masks everywhere, on parks and in the streets," she said.

"This is a big problem because before lockdown these items weren't ever really in circulation
among the general public, they were limited to the medical industry.

"I think what's needed is clear guidance from the government on the promotion of reusable
masks.

"They have said they are safe to use but I don't think the fact that they are an
[environmentally friendly] alternative to the single-use masks has been widely
communicated."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-53947161

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13
3.3 Article – Where did 5,500 tonnes of discarded face masks end up? by
Jenny Yeh

Where did 5,500 tonnes of discarded face masks end up?

Jenny Yeh
14 August 2020

It’s been over six months since COVID-19 swept across and ravaged the world, and in an
effort to contain this unprecedented outbreak, face masks have become a necessity.
However, an increase in the use of disposable surgical face masks is also creating unwanted
impacts on our environment, evidenced by piles of discarded face masks found near the
coasts of Hong Kong, the United States, France, Mainland China, and Taiwan. Undoubtedly,
face masks are now an environmental, as well as social, phenomenon.

5,500 metric tonnes of face masks were produced within 3

months

According to estimates by Greenpeace Taiwan, during the apex of the pandemic, from early
February to mid-May, Taiwan produced and used roughly 1.3 billion surgical masks.
Assuming each face mask weighs 4 grams, that’s 5,500 metric tonnes of general waste
generated within a span of three months. To put that figure into perspective, each garbage
truck is capable of transporting 5 tonnes of trash at a time, so Taiwan produced enough
face masks over a three-month period to fill 1,100 garbage trucks. Furthermore, according
to existing rules and regulations regarding the disposal of surgical face masks, used face
masks are “unrecyclable” due to the fact that they may be contaminated and could
potentially lead to indirect infection and viral transmission if they enter the recycle system.

14
Face masks that were used by hospitals or other medical facilities are handled by class-A
waste management companies, and disposed masks that are contaminated will be treated
separately. As there are existing mechanisms overseeing the disposal of medical waste,
used surgical masks from medical facilities are well supervised. However, the face masks
that were worn by the general public fall into a grey area between “general waste” and
“medical waste”.

Faced with the sheer amount of discarded face masks during the pandemic, Taiwan’s
Ministry of Health and Welfare and Environmental Protection Administration have tried to
advocate and educate the public on how to properly dispose of face masks via press
conferences, official websites, and social media platforms.

Meanwhile, littering penalties have also been raised from $1,200 to $3,600 New Taiwan
Dollars, with a maximum fine of $6,000 New Taiwan Dollars . Moreover, both central and
local governments have cranked up inspections, public service announcements, and other
management tools regarding discarded face masks, while various government agencies and
offices were encouraged to set up bins to collect used face masks.

15
Discarded face masks pose 4 major risks that could cause
environmental and social impacts

1. Discarded face masks pose social and environmental risks, both short-
term and long-term. 

First, chemicals contained in the masks are a potential threat to our environment. In
addition to non-woven fabric and activated carbon, medical face masks also contain large
amounts of polypropylene (PP), which is a type of commodity plastic that takes a long time
to degrade and releases a lot of toxic substances during the process.

As all face masks sold on the market must go through rigorous quality testing, it’s fair to
assume that these masks won’t break down easily, and their disposal will only create
negative impacts on our environment and ecosystems.

2. Discarded face masks can become floating marine debris and impact the
marine ecosystems.

According to RE-THINK Taiwan, a non-profit organisation that advocates and organises

beach clean-up activities, discarded face masks have been showing up on almost all beaches
in Taiwan since the beginning of the pandemic, with some face masks probably already in
the ocean.

Though the Ocean Conservation Administration stated that it would collect and test those
face masks to see if the coronavirus could survive in seawater, if left unaddressed, those
face masks might be mistaken by some marine animals for food.

Moreover, plastic particles released from the degradation of those face masks will also
remain in the oceans and build up in the food chain for years to come, eventually becoming
a detriment to human health.

3. Rivers and mountainous areas may become dumping grounds, which

not only could hinder our pandemic response efforts to properly dispose of
single-use masks, but also wreak havoc on wildlife. 

16
Every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic waste from around the globe ends up in the oceans,
with a bulk of it entering through the world’s rivers. According to statistics by the
Environmental Protection Administration, 20,000 tonnes of waste and debris were cleaned
up from the rivers, of which, roughly 2% was man-made, and of the 2%, 28.8% was
plastic, mostly general waste thrown out by the public.

Even though the EPA does have management and surveillance systems in place that are
aimed at preventing waste from entering rivers, we believe that it’s questionable as to
whether that’s enough, especially when used face masks, which could potentially help
spread the virus, are not being disposed of properly. What’s more, as more people look to
rural areas as their preferred travel destinations during the pandemic, large amounts of
discarded face masks are also being found in those areas, severely impacting local
ecosystems.

4. From a social risk perspective, a spike in the amount of disposed waste

might lead to an increase in the demand for incinerator capacity.

17
In the past, there have been instances of local residents protesting against waste
incinerator. If we are facing the need of building new incinerators, whether it is for general
or medical waste, they will not be welcomed by any neighbourhood.

At this point, it’s almost impossible to trace the sources of discarded face masks that have
escaped into the environment, and it’s equally difficult to deploy preventive measures. In
order to cope with the long-term effects of the pandemic, as well as to prepare for possible
future outbreaks of other infectious diseases, Greenpeace Taiwan suggests that there
should be more comprehensive guidelines and systems in place to govern the use and
disposal of single-use personal protective equipment. Only then will we be able to strike a
balance between public health and environmental sustainability.

We need your help in our fight to reduce plastic waste

Around the world, people are becoming more aware of the need to reduce our reliance on
plastic products. In Taiwan, we have also been advocating plastic reduction and holding the
government and businesses accountable by lobbying for relevant policies. We successfully
advocated for a ban on plastic microbeads, hosted 47 different fairs and marathons with the
theme of “plastic reduction,” set up the “Marine Debris Governance Platform” with the EPA

18
and other local NGOs, and oversaw the passage and implementation of plastic reduction
policies and plans.

However, our fight isn’t over yet, and our projects need your support. From businesses to
the general public, let’s educate and raise more awareness to help realise the dream of a
cleaner, better future that’s free of plastic pollution.

It starts with each of us using one less single-use product, starting today.

Jenny Yeh is a researcher at Greenpeace Taiwan.

Source: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/44629/where-did-5500-tonnes-of-
discarded-face-masks-end-up/

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3.4 Article – PPE: Polluting Planet Earth by R. Dean

Letter | Published: 11 September 2020

Coronavirus

PPE: polluting Planet Earth

Writer: R. Dean 

British Dental Journal volume 229, page 267(2020)

Sir, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a huge surge in the worldwide demand for personal
protective equipment (PPE), leading to a large increase in the manufacture and distribution
of plastic-based face masks, gloves, and gowns. 1 The demand for PPE is expected to stay at
an elevated level, with an estimated annual increase of 20% in the production of single use
face masks between the years 2020 and 2025. 2 The environmental impact of this should not
be underestimated, with discarded PPE being observed in the environment on a global scale.

Studies suggest that if each individual in the UK wore a single-use face mask every day for
one year, 66,000 tonnes of unrecyclable plastic waste would be generated. 3,4 There is no
system in place for the safe or environmentally friendly disposal of potentially contaminated
single use face masks for the general population, and a large amount are discarded in the
general waste to go to landfill, or worse, are littered in the environment.

Disposal of single use PPE in the domestic general waste has led to a detrimental impact on
our environment. Mismanaged plastic waste pollutes both marine and land environments,
and there is a high risk of ingestion or trauma to organisms and contamination of habitats,
threatening the safety of our ecosystems. 5

Sustainable management of plastic-based PPE is challenging, and further research on green

materials is paramount. As clinicians, we should be seeking multidisciplinary input from
biomedical and environmental scientists to focus on the reuse and recycling of plastic-based
PPE where possible within our working environment, and where contamination is not a
potential risk. More importantly, we should be actively encouraging our patients and the
general public to wear washable, reusable face masks, and shift towards the use of
sustainable alternatives wherever possible.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2130-5

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3.5 E-News – Five things you should know about disposable masks and plastic
pollution by UN News

30 July 2020 | Climate Change

The fight against plastic

pollution is being hit by
1) Pollution driven by huge increase in the COVID-19 pandemic,
mask sales as the use of disposable
masks, gloves and other
The promotion of mask wearing as a way to slow the
protective equipment
spread of COVID-19 has led to an extraordinary increase in
soars, but UN agencies
the production of disposable masks: the UN trade body,
and partners insist that, if
UNCTAD, estimates that global sales will total some $166
effective measures are put
billion this year, up from around $800 million in 2019.
into place, the amount of

Recent media reports, showing videos and photos of divers plastics discarded every

picking up masks and gloves, littering the waters around year can be significantly

the French Riviera, were a wake-up call for many, cut, or even eliminated.

refocusing minds on the plastic pollution issue, and a

reminder that politicians, leaders and individuals need to
address the problem of plastic pollution. 

21
2) A toxic problem

If historical data is a reliable indicator, it can be expected that around 75 per cent of the
used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in
the seas. Aside from the environmental damage, the financial cost, in areas such as tourism
and fisheries, is estimated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at around $40 billion.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that, if the large increase in medical
waste, much of it made from environmentally harmful single-use plastics, is not managed
soundly, uncontrolled dumping could result. 

The potential consequences, says UNEP, which has produced a series of factsheets on the
subject, include public health risks from infected used masks, and the open burning or
uncontrolled incineration of masks, leading to the release of toxins in the environment, and
to secondary transmission of diseases to humans.

Because of fears of these potential secondary impacts on health and the environment, UNEP
is urging governments to treat the management of waste, including medical and hazardous
waste, as an essential public service. The agency argues that the safe handling, and final
disposal of this waste is a vital element in an effective emergency response.

22
“Plastic pollution was already one of the greatest threats to our planet before the
coronavirus outbreak,” says Pamela Coke-Hamilton, UNCTAD’s director of international
trade. “The sudden boom in the daily use of certain products to keep people safe and stop
the disease is making things much worse.”

3) Existing solutions could cut plastics by 80 per cent

However, this state of affairs can be changed for the better, as shown by a recent, wide-
ranging, report on plastic waste published by The Pew Charitable Trusts, and sustainability
thinktank Systemiq.

The study, “Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of Pathways Towards
Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution”, which was endorsed by Inger Andersen, head of the UN
environment agency UNEP, forecasts that, if no action is taken, the amount of plastics
dumped into the ocean will triple by 2040, from 11 to 29 million tonnes per year.

But around 80 per cent of plastic pollution could be eliminated over this same period, simply
by replacing inadequate regulation, changing business models and introducing incentives
leading to the reduced production of plastics. Other recommended measures include
designing products and packaging that can be more easily recycled, and expanding waste
collection, particularly in lower income countries.

23
4) Global cooperation is essential

In its July analysis of plastics, sustainability and development, UNCTAD came to the
conclusion that global trade policies also have an important role to play in reducing
pollution. 

Many countries have introduced regulations that mention plastics over the last decade, an
indicator of growing concern surrounding the issue, but, the UNCTAD analysis points out, for
trade policies to be truly effective, coordinated, global rules are needed.

“The way countries have been using trade policy to fight plastic pollution has mostly been
uncoordinated, which limits the effectiveness of their efforts, says Ms. Coke-Hamilton.
“There are limits to what any country can achieve on its own.”

5) Promote planet and job-friendly alternatives

Whilst implementing these measures would make a huge dent in plastic pollution between
now and 2040, the Pew/ Systemiq report acknowledges that, even in its best-case scenario,
five million metric tons of plastics would still be leaking into the ocean every year.

 A dramatic increase in innovation and investment, leading to technological advances, the

report’s study’s authors conclude, would be necessary to deal comprehensively with the
problem.

24
Furthermore, UNCTAD is urging governments to promote non-toxic, biodegradable or easily
recyclable alternatives, such as natural fibres, rice husk, and natural rubber. These products
would be more environmentally-friendly and, as developing countries are key suppliers of
many plastic substitutes, could provide the added benefit of providing new jobs.
Bangladesh, for example, is the world’s leading supplier of jute exports, whilst, between
them, Thailand and Côte d’Ivoire account for the bulk of natural rubber exports.

“There’s no single solution to ocean plastic pollution, but through rapid and concerted action
we can break the plastic wave,” said Tom Dillon, Pew’s vice president for environment. As
the organization’s report shows, “we can invest in a future of reduced waste, better health
outcomes, greater job creation, and a cleaner and more resilient environment for both
people and nature”.

Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1069151

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3.6 Article – Coronavirus PPE pollution: Can we stop the mounting plastic
pandemic?

Environment
Coronavirus PPE pollution: Can we stop the mounting plastic pandemic?

Coronavirus PPE pollution: Can we stop the mounting plastic pandemic?

Wildlife, across land and sea, face harm as disposable waste surges, say
environmental action groups

Katie Anderson | Friday 18 September 2020 15:15

As coronavirus continues to sweep across the globe, swathes of PPE and other single-use

plastic items are entering our natural environment.

The influx of gloves, disposable masks and extra food packaging is already causing harm
to wildlife in the UK, according to the RSPCA.

“Since March we’ve had to rescue over 900 animals - it’s particularly birds who are getting
their feet caught up in the elastic bit of disposable masks. They can’t move or get away”
says Klare Kennett, from the animal charity.

Divers and observers are also spotting PPE floating in water systems, and washing up on
shorelines around the nation.

26
‘We are seeing a new type of plastic pollution appearing on our beaches right around the
country, from Cornwall to Scotland” says Hugo Tagholm, Chief Officer of the marine NGO
Surfers Against Sewage.

These reports are a concern, given that the UK is expecting an extra 66,000 tonnes of
contaminated waste from face coverings alone in 2020, according to the Plastic Waste
Innovation Hub.

“Covid is clearly an imminent threat, but we shouldn’t be overusing plastic” warns Professor
Erik Van Sebille, an Oceanographer from Utrecht University.

“It feels like we have slipped six, seven, even 10 years back in time when it comes to
reusing and recycling due to the pandemic” he adds.

“Disposable masks have a place in medical care, but not in our everyday lives. To go out to
the shops or out to cafes, we should be relying on reusables rather than disposables” Mr.
Tagholm told The Independent.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ppe-coronavirus-plastic-waste-
masks-environment-video-b483143.html

27
3.7 E-News – Danger! Used face masks are toxic waste

By Tharanya Arumugam - August 24, 2020 @ 12:02pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Environmentalists have raised the alarm about a new type of plastic
pollution sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic, which they say could worsen the
environmental and marine litter crises.

The pandemic, they said, had led to a surge in the use of single-use face masks, gloves,
sanitiser bottles and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

However, of concern is the manner in which they are disposed of.

Experts said if not properly discarded, these items not only posed a health hazard to
humans, but also a threat to the environment, especially marine life.

Permata Greenland Organisation chairman Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir described
the phenomenon as the "new unhealthy norm" that is damaging to the environment.

She called for the public to understand its severity and for the government to impose a fine
of RM1,000 on anyone caught discarding face masks and other single-use plastics
irresponsibly.

"It is sickening to see people throwing used face masks. It's as if they have no civic-
mindedness. You can see discarded face masks anywhere and everywhere and people
ignore them.

28
"Besides strict enforcement, the authorities should provide dustbins or bags for used face
masks at every 100 sq m in all places.

"One of the problems in Malaysia is the lack of rubbish bins and recycling bins," she told
the New Straits Times.

She said irresponsible disposal of the items caused the same damage as other plastic
products, but people did not realise it or felt it as the items were small.

"They think that it's just like a small cloth rather than a plastic product. This will only add to
the alarming amount of waste going to landfills daily."

Plastic surgical masks, which are made of poly-propylene (part of the thermoplastic family)
could take up to 450 years to completely degrade.

Global reports have shown enormous quantities of masks and gloves at sea, along with
other trash.

Sharifah said used face masks might contain viruses or even Covid-19, and the ocean could
be a medium to spread them as these items could float to another country.

"If a sea creature digested a contaminated face mask, then it will spread the virus in the
ocean too. Imagine if the seafood we eat is infected by a virus from a used face mask.

"We know the virus (Covid-19) can survive in water too."

Due to this, she said, people who picnic at a beach or by a river would have a greater
chance of contracting the disease.

"In the sea, face masks could get stuck in corals or remain among other waste on the ocean
bed, creating a toxic environment."

She said Malaysians should recycle and dispose of waste properly.

She added that reusable cloth face masks should be made affordable, in compliance with
the World Health Organisation's requirements.

29
Water quality and modelling specialist Dr Zaki Zainudin said if non-recyclable/non-reusable
masks ended up in rivers or oceans, they would contribute to garbage pollution, which is
harmful to the aquatic system and creatures.

"I am sad to see the improper disposal of non-recyclable/non-reusable face masks in our
watercourses. It's not like we don't have enough river pollution already.

"It would be sad to find these masks in the bellies of sea turtles or other aquatic creatures."

He said some people might only see it as a small issue.

However, he said, when taking into consideration that a person wore a face mask each day,
the number of the discarded item would increase drastically.

"Depending on the material, these masks could last years, even decades, in the
environment. Some masks are even non-biodegradable."

Zaki said that while users should be responsible for throwing these masks properly, given
the current situation, the authorities should provide guidelines on face-mask disposal.

30
Malaysian Nature Society president Professor Dr Ahmad Ismail said it was important to
educate the public on plastic pollution and disposal of single-use plastics.

"Public attitude and concerns about irresponsible disposal of single-use plastics, including
face masks, are worrying.

"Environmental problems linked to plastic waste have become a major concern.

"The country is ranked eighth in the world for the worst managed public waste, with China
ranking No. 1."

Studies showed that Malaysia had mismanaged 0.94 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2010,
0.14 to 0.37 million tonnes of which could have ended up in the oceans.

Ahmad said while there was no data as to how rampant the issue of Covid-19-related plastic
disposal was in Malaysia, the mere presence of them on streets was an eyesore.

"We can refer to waste management operators or observe the parking areas of supermarket
and recreational beaches (for irresponsible dumping of single-use plastics, including face
masks).

"Similar to other plastics and solid waste, these will end up in landfills or in the ocean.

"And when it goes to the ocean, they will break down over time into microplastics and can
be ingested by sea creatures."

Studies have suggested that people consume about 5g of plastic a week and it is likely that
ingesting microplastics could expose consumers to chemicals that are harmful.

These chemicals are known to cause health problems, including reproductive harm and
obesity, as well as organ problems and developmental delays in children.

Ahmad said the public should adhere to the instructions given by the authorities on disposal
of face masks and other plastics.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/618875/danger-used-
face-masks-are-toxic-waste

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4.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on the articles and e-News above we can conclude that heavy usage of PPE
will affect the environment as well as the animals. Even though, we’re in the middle of a
pandemic, we have to take care of our environment as well. We’re not the only one
suffering from this pandemic, but We don’t need another crisis or pandemic to happen due
to pollutions.

All people including the government and organizations need to work together and
cooperate to reduce pollution from PPE. Some of the articles suggest that reusable masks
should be make affordable. As for the government, they should ban the usage of disposable
masks and changing to other alternative which is reusable masks. Furthermore, organization
such as Greenpeace, WWF work together to make a great campaign regarding to PPE
usage.

Last but not least, the easiest way for us to help reduce the usage of PPE is not to
go out without important reasons. By doing this, not only we can protect ourselves and
people around us, but mother nature as well. Let’s do our part to help the environment so
we can conserve the earth. We want our future generations will be able to enjoy what
mother nature has to offer just like we do.

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5.0 REFERENCES
 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/08/more-masks-than-jellyfish-
coronavirus-waste-ends-up-in-ocean
 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-53947161
 https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/44629/where-did-5500-tonnes-of-
discarded-face-masks-end-up/
 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-020-2130-5
 https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1069151

 https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ppe-coronavirus-plastic-waste-masks-
environment-video-b483143.html
 https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/618875/danger-used-face-masks-
are-toxic-waste

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