PANDEMIC PUT 25K TONS OF PLASTIC IN OCEAN: STUDY

Tue 09 November 2021:

According to a recent study published by PNAS found over 25,000 tons of pandemic-related plastic garbage have been leaked into the water, while 8 million tons of plastic waste have been produced globally, compounding an already out-of-control global crisis.

According to the experts, the majority of the plastic came from medical waste generated by hospitals.

According to the study “Plastic trash release caused by COVID-19 and its fate in the global ocean,” 193 countries generated 8.4 million tons of plastic waste.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for single-use plastics that intensifies pressure on an already out-of-control global plastic waste problem. While it is suspected to be large, the magnitude and fate of this pandemic-associated mismanaged plastic waste are unknown,” the study said.

The researchers have issued a warning that the spilled plastic can travel vast distances in the ocean and come into contact with marine creatures. This can result in bodily harm or even death.

They have called for “better medical waste management in pandemic epicenters, especially in developing countries.”

Yiming Peng and Peipei Wu from Nanjing University was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increased demand for single-use plastics that intensifies pressure on an already out-of-control global plastic waste problem.”

“The released plastics can be transported over long distances in the ocean, encounter marine wildlife, and potentially lead to injury or even death.”

Another study released last month indicated the production of plastic was on par to pass coal in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

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