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Sanito RC, Mujiyanti DR, You SJ, Wang YF. A review on medical waste treatment in COVID-19 pandemics: Technologies, managements and future strategies. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2024; 74:72-99. [PMID: 37955449 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2023.2282011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 few years ago, the increasing of the number of medical waste has become a huge issue because of their harmful impact to environment. A major concern associated to the limitation of technologies for dealing with medical waste, especially conventional technologies, are overcapacities since pandemic occurs. Moreover, the outbreak of new viruses from post COVID-19 should become a serious attention to be prevented not only environmental issues but also the spreading of viruses to new pandemic near the future. The high possibility of an outbreak of new viruses and mutation near the future should be prevented based on the experience associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the last 3 yr. This review presented information and strategies for handling medical waste during the outbreak of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19, and also information on the current issues related to technologies, such as incineration, pyrolysis/gasification, autoclaves and microwave treatment for the dealing with high numbers of medical waste in COVID-19 to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, their advantages and disadvantages. Plasma technology can be considered to be implemented as an alternative technology to deal with medical waste since incinerator is usually over capacities during the pandemic situation. Proper treatment of specific medical waste in pandemics, namely face masks, vaccine vials, syringes, and dead bodies, are necessary because those medical wastes are mediums for transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, emission controls from incinerator and plasma are necessary to be implemented to reduce the high concentration of CO2, NOx, and VOCs during the treatment. Finally, future strategies of medical waste treatment in the perspective of potential outbreak pandemic from new mutation viruses are discussed in this review paper.Implications: Journal of the air and waste management association may consider our review paper to be published. In this review, we give important information related to the technologies, managements and strategies for handling the medical waste and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus, starting from proper technology to control the high number of medical waste, their pollutants and many strategies for controlling the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moreover, this review also describes some strategies associated with control the transmission not only the SARS-CoV-2 virus but also the outbreak of new viruses near the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raynard Christianson Sanito
- Surface Engineering Laboratory, Advanced Materials Research Center, Department of Mineral, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Laval University, Pavillon Adrien-Pouliot, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- CHU de Quebec, Hospital Saint-François d'Assise, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dwi Rasy Mujiyanti
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia
| | - Sheng-Jie You
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Risk Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Fen Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Center for Environmental Risk Management, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Doad R, Gupta R, Shitak R. Evaluation of biomedical waste generation in Himachal Pradesh before and during the Covid 19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167689. [PMID: 37820814 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Himachal Pradesh dealt with the same crisis as other states in India due to the extensive dissemination of the COVID-19 coronavirus infection. Biomedical waste management is crucial for public health and environmental safety, and the pandemic's impact on waste generation is an understudied area. This study specifically utilizes data from the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board as well as information from other governmental and non-governmental organizations, which are analysed and compared for the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. This research offers a thorough analysis of waste generation of Himachal Pradesh both before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Kangra (671 kg/day), Shimla (526 kg/day), are found to be high Bio medical waste generation (BMWG) districts whereas Kinnour (22 kg/day), Lahul Spiti (6 kg/day) are observed as lowest BMW generating districts in Himachal Pradesh on average basis in the year 2018 to 2020. The unexpected COVID-19 viral pandemic has caused a huge increase in Bio-medical waste (584 kg/day) in the year 2021 in comparison to that in the year 2020 (139 kg/day). The gaps analysis of Himachal Pradesh implementation of the Biomedical waste regulations was also assessed in this study. Deep burials have been severely prohibited by the Himachal Pradesh government; yet, two districts continue to dispose of BMWs using deep burial techniques. The findings reveal important insights into the changing patterns of BMW generation, shedding light on the challenges and requirements for effective waste management strategies during health crises. The insights obtained from this study can contribute in development of resilient waste management system that can effectively respond to future pandemics or health crises, ensuring the safety of healthcare workers, the public, and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Doad
- Centre for Energy and Environment, Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
| | - Renu Gupta
- Centre for Energy and Environment, Chemical Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| | - Ritu Shitak
- Department of Pharmacology, Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur, cum-consultant-cum State Nodal Officer PVPI under aegis of IPC, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, Himachal Pradesh, India
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3
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Ma J, Chen F, Chen CC, Zhang Z, Zhong Z, Jiang H, Pu J, Li Y, Pan K. Comparison between discarded facemask and common plastic waste on microbial colonization and physiochemical properties during aging in seawater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 455:131583. [PMID: 37201275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Facemasks are indispensable for preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, improper disposal of discarded facemasks has led to their contamination in the marine environment. To understand the environmental risk of this emerging plastic pollution, it's important to clarify the features that distinguish discarded facemasks from common plastic waste during aging. This study compared the microbial colonization, degradation-related enzymes, and physicochemical properties among surgical masks, polystyrene cups, polycarbonate bottles, and polyethylene terephthalate bottles in their aging processes in natural seawater. Compared to the other plastic wastes, surgical masks were colonized by the most diverse microorganisms, reaching 1521 unique prokaryotic OTUs after 21-day exposure in seawater. Moreover, the activity of eukaryotic enzymes associated with plastic degradation was 80-fold higher than that in seawater, indicating that the colonized eukaryotes would be the major microorganisms degrading the surgical masks. Meanwhile, the nano-sized defects (depth between 8 and 61 nm) would evolve into cracks of bigger sizes and result in the breakage of the microfibers and releasing microplastics into the ocean. Overall, our study demonstrated a distinctive plastisphere occurred in surgical masks from both microbial and physiochemical aspects. This work provides new insights for assessing the potential risk of plastic pollution caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengyuan Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Ciara Chun Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China; Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zihan Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Junbao Pu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Yanping Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Pan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China.
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Chakraborty P, Kumar R, Karn S, Srivastava AK, Mondal P. The long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on environmental health: a review study of the bi-directional effect. BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE 2023; 47:33. [PMID: 36879580 PMCID: PMC9976686 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-023-01007-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When health systems worldwide grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, its effect on the global environment is also a significant consideration factor. It is a two-way process where the pre-COVID climate factors influenced the landscape in which the disease proliferates globally and the consequences of the pandemic on our surroundings. The environmental health disparities will also have a long-lasting effect on public health response. MAIN BODY The ongoing research on the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19 must also include the role of environmental factors in the process of infection and the differential severity of the disease. Studies have shown that the virus has created positive and negative ramifications on the world environment, especially in countries most critically affected by the pandemic. Contingency measures to slow down the virus, such as self-distancing and lockdowns have shown improvements in air, water, and noise quality with a concomitant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, biohazard waste management is a cause for concern that can result in negative effects on planetary health. At the peak of the infection, most attention has been diverted to the medical aspects of the pandemic. Gradually, policymakers must shift their focus to social and economic avenues, environmental development, and sustainability. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the environment, both directly and indirectly. On the one hand, the sudden halt in economic and industrial activities led to a decrease in air and water pollution, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the increased use of single-use plastics and a surge in e-commerce activities have had negative effects on the environment. As we move forward, we must consider the pandemic's long-term impacts on the environment and work toward a more sustainable future that balances economic growth and environmental protection. The study shall update the readers on the various facets of the interaction between this pandemic and environmental health with model development for long-term sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasenjit Chakraborty
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur-Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740 India
| | - Randhir Kumar
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur-Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740 India
| | - Sanjay Karn
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur-Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740 India
| | - Ankit Kumar Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur-Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat 382740 India
| | - Priya Mondal
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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Rai PK, Sonne C, Song H, Kim KH. Plastic wastes in the time of COVID-19: Their environmental hazards and implications for sustainable energy resilience and circular bio-economies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159880. [PMID: 36328266 PMCID: PMC9618453 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The global scope of pollution from plastic waste is a well-known phenomenon associated with trade, mass consumption, and disposal of plastic products (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), viral test kits, and vacuum-packaged food). Recently, the scale of the problem has been exacerbated by increases in indoor livelihood activities during lockdowns imposed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study describes the effects of increased plastic waste on environmental footprint and human health. Further, the technological/regulatory options and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach for sustainable plastic waste management are critically dealt in terms of their implications on energy resilience and circular economy. The abrupt increase in health-care waste during pandemic has been worsening environmental quality to undermine the sustainability in general. In addition, weathered plastic particles from PPE along with microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can all adsorb chemical and microbial contaminants to pose a risk to ecosystems, biota, occupational safety, and human health. PPE-derived plastic pollution during the pandemic also jeopardizes sustainable development goals, energy resilience, and climate control measures. However, it is revealed that the pandemic can be regarded as an opportunity for explicit LCA to better address the problems associated with environmental footprints of plastic waste and to focus on sustainable management technologies such as circular bio-economies, biorefineries, and thermal gasification. Future researches in the energy-efficient clean technologies and circular bio-economies (or biorefineries) in concert with a "nexus" framework are expected to help reduce plastic waste into desirable directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Kumar Rai
- Phyto-Technologies and Plant Invasion Lab, Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - C Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - H Song
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Amani Bani E, Fallahi A, Varmazyar M, Fathi M. Designing a sustainable reverse supply chain network for COVID-19 vaccine waste under uncertainty. COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 2022; 174:108808. [PMID: 36405560 PMCID: PMC9650524 DOI: 10.1016/j.cie.2022.108808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The vast nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programs are implemented in many countries worldwide. Mass vaccination is causing a rapid increase in infectious and non-infectious vaccine wastes, potentially posing a severe threat if there is no well-organized management plan. This paper develops a mixed-integer mathematical programming model to design a COVID-19 vaccine waste reverse supply chain (CVWRSC) for the first time. The presented problem is based on minimizing the system's total cost and carbon emission. The uncertainty in the tendency rate of vaccination is considered, and a robust optimization approach is used to deal with it, where an interactive fuzzy approach converts the model into a single objective problem. Additionally, a Lagrangian relaxation (LR) algorithm is utilized to deal with the computational difficulty of the large-scale CVWRSC network. The model's practicality is investigated by solving a real-life case study. The results show the gain of the developed integrated network, where the presented framework performs better than the disintegrated vaccine and waste supply chain models. According to the results, vaccination operations and transportation of non-infectious wastes are responsible for a large portion of total cost and emission, respectively. Autoclaving technology plays a vital role in treating infectious wastes. Moreover, the sensitivity analyses demonstrate that the vaccination tendency rate significantly impacts both objective functions. The case study results prove the model's robustness under different realization scenarios, where the average objective function of the robust model is less than the deterministic model ones' in all scenarios. Finally, some insights are given based on the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Amani Bani
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Fallahi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Varmazyar
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fathi
- Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
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7
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Chawla S, Varghese BS, A C, Hussain CG, Keçili R, Hussain CM. Environmental impacts of post-consumer plastic wastes: Treatment technologies towards eco-sustainability and circular economy. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:135867. [PMID: 35998732 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The huge amounts of plastic production (millions of tons) are carried out all around world every year and EU is one of the biggest consumers of these products. In 2021, recycling rate of plastic wastes around 32.5% in the EU and the rest end up on their journey in landfills and oceans that lead to environmental pollution which is a crucial global concern. Thus, it is important to take necessary steps to control the use of such plastic and to sustainably dispose them. One of the solutions to the problem is to use a better alternative to plastics which doesn't degrade land, water or air nor affects living organisms. Circular economy is another answer to this problem, it would ensure prevention of post-consumer plastic waste from getting formed. In addition, sustainable disposal approaches for plastic waste such as pyrolysis, plasma gasification, photocatalytic degradation, and production of value-added products from polymer waste can be explored. These recycling methods has huge potential for research and studies and can play a crucial in eliminating post-consumer plastic waste. This review paper aims to discuss the environmental effects of post-consumer plastic wastes as well as the emerging approaches for the treatment of these environmental wastes towards eco-sustainability and circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Chawla
- Department of Chemistry, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, 20130, Noida, India.
| | - Basil Sajan Varghese
- Department of Chemistry, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, 20130, Noida, India.
| | - Chithra A
- Department of Chemistry, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, 20130, Noida, India.
| | | | - Rüstem Keçili
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Anadolu University, Yunus Emre Vocational School of Health Services, 26470, Eskişehir, Turkey.
| | - Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain
- Department of Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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Musamih A, Salah K, Jayaraman R, Yaqoob I, Al-Hammadi Y, Antony J. Blockchain-based solution for COVID-19 vaccine waste reduction. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2022; 372:133619. [PMID: 35999948 PMCID: PMC9389451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been produced on a large scale since 2020. However, large-scale vaccine production has led to two forms of waste; namely, overproduction and underutilization. Most of today's systems and technologies used to manage waste data related to COVID-19 vaccines fall short of providing transparency, traceability, accountability, trust, and security features. In this paper, we address the problem of COVID-19 vaccines waste due to their overproduction and underutilization. We propose a blockchain-based solution that is composed of five phases: registration, commitment; production and delivery; consumption; and waste assessment. These phases make up the complete life cycle of a COVID-19 vaccine, and they are governed by several smart contracts to ensure accountability of all the actions taken by the involved entities and reduce any excessive waste caused by overproduction, overordering, or underconsumption. We ensure security, traceability, and data provenance by recording all actions through smart contracts in the form of events on an immutable ledger. We utilize decentralized storage such as the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to reduce the costs posed by large-sized file storage when stored on-chain. We present algorithms that describe the logic behind our developed smart contracts. We test and validate the functionalities of our proposed solution. We conduct security, cost, and scalability analyses to show that our solution is affordable, scalable, and secure. We compare our solution with the existing blockchain-based solutions to show its novelty and superiority. The smart contract code is made publicly available on GitHub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Musamih
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khaled Salah
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raja Jayaraman
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ibrar Yaqoob
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yousof Al-Hammadi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jiju Antony
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
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Hasegawa Y, Lau SK. A qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the impacts of COVID-19 on soundscapes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157223. [PMID: 35810914 PMCID: PMC9262645 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The current prolonged coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially influenced numerous facets of our daily lives for over two years. Although a number of studies have explored the pandemic impacts on soundscapes worldwide, their works have not been reviewed comprehensively nor systematically, hence a lack of prospective soundscape goals based upon global evidence. This review study examines evidence of the COVID-19 crisis impacts on soundscapes and quantifies the prevalence of unprecedented changes in acoustic environments. Two key-research classes were identified based on a systematic content analysis of the 119 included studies: (1) auditory perceptual change and (2) noise level change due to the COVID-19 pandemic/lockdown. Our qualitative synthesis ascertained the substantial adverse consequences of pandemic soundscapes on human health and well-being while beneficial aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic on soundscapes were yet identified. Furthermore, meta-analysis results highlight that the observed average noise-level reduction (148 averaged samples derived from 31 studies) varied as a function of the stringency level of the COVID-19 confinement policies imposed by the governments, which would be further moderated by urban morphology and main noise sources. Given these collective findings, we propose soundscape materiality, its nexus with related the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs), and prospective approaches to support resilient soundscapes during and after the pandemic, which should be achieved to enhance healthy living and human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimi Hasegawa
- Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Siu-Kit Lau
- Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Soni V, Paital S, Raizada P, Ahamad T, Khan AAP, Thakur S, Singh P, Hussain CM, Sharma S, Nadda AK. Surveillance of omicron variants through wastewater epidemiology: Latest developments in environmental monitoring of pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156724. [PMID: 35716753 PMCID: PMC9197784 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
WBE has been a monitoring system that can give purposeful and inclusive real-time assessments of civic society as well as environmental health. This concept review introduces WBE as a surveillance scheme and initial warning outbreaks of contagious diseases caused by harmful SARS-CoV-2 with pandemic potential. Examining biomarkers of contagious diseases as evidence in polluted water taken from wastewater treatment plants suggests that these systems can be examined to get epidemiological data for checking the transmission of infectious B.1.1.529 to different areas. Thereafter, various benefits of surveillance are provided to analyse health information and pinpoint different problems that may be occurring in the workstation. Surveillance is followed by intervention steps that improved the work environment and prevent further progression of the disease. This information will help to improve early detection strategies, designing a prevention strategy to reduce their spread, infection control and therapies, thus, strengthening our global preparedness to fight future epidemics. In the end, a comprehensive discussion on the remaining challenges and opportunities for epidemiology has been given for future research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vatika Soni
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India
| | - Shilpa Paital
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India
| | - Pankaj Raizada
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India
| | - Tansir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Aftab Aslam Parwaz Khan
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sourbh Thakur
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 4, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Pardeep Singh
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India.
| | - Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
| | - Swati Sharma
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Nadda
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
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11
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Hasija V, Patial S, Kumar A, Singh P, Ahamad T, Khan AAP, Raizada P, Hussain CM. Environmental impact of COVID-19 Vaccine waste: A perspective on potential role of natural and biodegradable materials. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022; 10:107894. [PMID: 35578627 PMCID: PMC9093085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The mass immunization is the prioritised post-pandemic phase offering preventive countermeasure for COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is crucial to tackle the environmental impact of COVID-19 vaccine waste for sustainable vaccination management because a prolonged immunisation campaign is expected. As the pace of vaccine production, distribution and mass vaccination has been expedited, there is a simultaneous rise in plastic derived vaccine waste including syringes, needles, used/unused vaccine vials, vaccine packaging, and protective gear (surgical facemasks, gloves, face shields, etc). Henceforth, in view of the repercussions of heaping plastic waste in the environment, this article provides a perspective on the usage of synthetic and natural materials as potential substituents for vaccination tools. The biodegradable polymeric gums such as cellulose, gellan, pectin, etc. have been successfully applied for the fabrication of surgical facemasks. The highly suggestive practice is replacement of conventional polypropylene based plastics with bioplastics or paper for vaccine packaging. The usage of biodegradable bio-plastics as packaging material along with environmentally friendly face masks can help to achieve the zero waste approach. The discussion in the article significantly highlights the necessity of opting sustainable solutions of disinfecting and substituting vaccination tools for an environment friendly ongoing vaccination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasudha Hasija
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Shilpa Patial
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Abhinandan Kumar
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Pardeep Singh
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Tansir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Aslam Parwaz Khan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pankaj Raizada
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J 07102, USA
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Ojha PC, Satpathy SS, Ojha AK, Sukla LB, Pradhan D. Overcoming challenges due to enhanced biomedical waste generation during COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:155072. [PMID: 35398414 PMCID: PMC8988481 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical wastes (BMWs) are potentially infectious to the environment and health. They are co-dependent and accumulative during the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19) pandemic. In India the standard treatment processes of BMWs are incineration, autoclaving, shredding, and deep burial; however, incineration and autoclaving are the leading techniques applied by many treatment providers. These conventional treatment methods have several drawbacks in terms of energy, cost, and emission. But the actual problem for the treatment providers is the huge and non-uniform flow of the BMWs during the pandemic. The existing treatment methods are lacking flexibility for the non-uniform flow. The Government of India has provisionally approved some new techniques like plasma pyrolysis, sharp/needle blaster, and PIWS-3000 technologies on a trial basis. But they are all found to be inadequate in the pandemic. Therefore, there is an absolute requirement to micromanage the BMWs based on certain parameters for the possible COVID-19 like pandemic in the future. Segregation is a major step of the BMW management. Its guideline may be shuffled as segregation at the entry points followed by collection instead of the existing system of the collection followed by segregation. Other steps like transportation, location of treatment facilities, upgradation of the existing treatment facilities, and new technologies can solve the challenges up to a certain extent. Technologies like microwave treatment, alkaline hydrolysis, steam sterilization, biological treatment, catalytic solar disinfection, and nanotechnology have a lot of scopes for the treatment of BMWs. Hi-tech approaches in handling and transportation are found to be fruitful in the initial steps of BMW management. End products of the treated BMWs can be potentially fabricated for the application in the built environment. Some policies need to be re-evaluated by the health care facilities or government administrations for efficient BMW management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Chhanda Ojha
- Biofuels and Bioprocessing Research Center, ITER, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar 751030, India; Vasudev Higher Secondary School, Talcher, Angul 759100, India
| | - Swati Sucharita Satpathy
- Biofuels and Bioprocessing Research Center, ITER, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar 751030, India
| | | | - Lala Behari Sukla
- Biofuels and Bioprocessing Research Center, ITER, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar 751030, India
| | - Debabrata Pradhan
- Biofuels and Bioprocessing Research Center, ITER, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar 751030, India.
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Patenaude B, Ballreich J. Estimating & comparing greenhouse gas emissions for existing intramuscular COVID-19 vaccines and a novel thermostable oral vaccine. THE JOURNAL OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH 2022; 6:100127. [PMID: 35262040 PMCID: PMC8894686 DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate impacts are rarely considered in health impact and economic assessments of public health programs. This study estimates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions averted by a novel oral SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine compared with four existing intramuscular vaccines: AstraZeneca's COVISHIELD®, Pfizer/BioNTech's COMIRNATY®, Moderna's mRNA-1273, and Johnson & Johnson's Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS We estimated GHG emissions averted for five vaccine modalities across nine countries. GHG emissions averted were derived from differences in cold chain logistics, production of vaccine supplies, and medical waste disposal. Countryspecific data including population coverage and electricity production mix were included in GHG emissions calculations. Results are presented in averted GHG per vaccine course and country level based on modeled vaccination demand. FINDINGS Per course, an oral vaccine is estimated to avert between 0.007 and 0.024 kgCO2e compared with Johnson & Johnson, 0.013 to 0.048 kgCO2e compared with AstraZeneca, 0.23 to 0.108 kgCO2e compared with Moderna, and 0.134 to 0.466 kgCO2e compared with Pfizer/BioNTech. The total GHG averted varied across countries based upon predicted demand, mix of electrical production, and vaccination strategy with the largest emissions reductions projected for India and the United States. INTERPRETATION Our results demonstrate large potential GHG emissions reductions from the use of oral vs. intramuscular vaccines for mass COVID-19 vaccination programs. Up to 82.25 million kgCO2e could be averted from utilization of an oral vaccine in the United States alone, which is equivalent to eliminating 17,700 automobiles from the road for one year. FUNDING Funding was provided by Vaxart, Inc. Vaxart, Inc. is currently developing an oral COVID-19 vaccine, the characteristics of which were utilized to define the thermostable oral vaccine discussed in this study. Apart from providing data on the characteristics of the oral vaccine under development, the funders had no influence over the study design, methods, statistical analyses, results, framing of results, decision to submit the manuscript for publication, or choice of journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Patenaude
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Jeromie Ballreich
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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Shrivastava S, Shrivastava P. Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic and health-care waste: Strategies to ensure environmentally sustainable management. ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASE 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/ed.ed_6_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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