Discard disposable face masks properly, don’t reuse to avoid infection — envi group

MANILA, Philippines — Since human coronaviruses can supposedly remain infectious even on inanimate surfaces for up to nine days, an environmental health organization on Monday called on users of disposable face masks to dispose of them properly.

Jove Benosa, who serves as Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, enumerated the possible consequences brought by improper disposal of face masks as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to threaten the country.

Citing a study published in the March 2020 issue of The Journal of Hospital Infection, Benosa said that “human coronaviruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces for up to nine days.”

“As the virus can live on surfaces for a number of days, discarded masks may become a potential source of infection,” Benosa said.

Furthermore, he said that improper disposal of face masks may also pollute water bodies and consequently harm marine life.

“Like the ubiquitous single-use plastic bags in the oceans, discarded masks may be mistaken as food by aquatic creatures, blocking their digestive tracts and affecting their growth, reproduction and survival,” Benosa said.

Benosa also cited an incident in Thailand wherein authorities raided a factory selling used masks.

“Health experts do not recommend reusing disposable face masks,” Benosa said.

The zero waste advocate then reiterated the call of the World Health Organization (WHO) that “the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide adequate level of protection and other equally relevant measures should be adopted.”

“Let us heed the appeal made by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III enjoining the Filipino people to judiciously use face masks to prevent shortage,” Benosa said.

As of Sunday evening, there are 140 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with the death toll reaching 12.