How to dispose of used sanitary face masks during Covid-19

[rooster59]

How to dispose of used sanitary face masks during Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

The Pollution Control Department has outlined steps for proper disposal of non-reusable sanitary face masks. The guidelines come in the wake of soaring domestic usage due to the new wave of Covid-19 in Thailand since December.

 

“Face masks used by Covid-19 patients, their close contacts and medical professionals treating them are considered infectious waste and must be disposed of under regulations announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment,” said Attapol Charoenchansa, department director-general.

 

 

 

The protocol that hospitals and quarantine facilities must follow in disposal of infectious waste includes putting them in double layer of red bags that are opaque, water and chemical resistant, with a clear label identifying it as “infectious waste”. Some disinfectant or bleach must be poured on the waste before tying the bag tightly with rope and then stored at a separate location from general waste until local officials come and pick them up.

 

“As for face masks used by the general public in their daily life, they should be cut or torn apart before being thrown away to prevent reuse.

 

“Used face masks should be put in a separate garbage bag from general waste and be dumped at designated points for used face masks in your community. Most importantly, avoid having used face masks in your home for more than seven days.”

 

For people who are in self-quarantine at home to monitor their symptoms after possible exposure to the virus, Attapol suggested they put used face masks in a double layer of garbage bags, then tie the bag tightly with a string and label the bag “Used Sanitary Face masks", before dumping it at designated points for used face mask in your community.

 

“Office or business venues should follow the same protocol as self-quarantine persons, but they should pour some disinfectant or bleach over used face masks before tying the bag with a string,” he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400968?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-10

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Thaiwrath]

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

How to dispose of used sanitary face masks during Covid-19

I've seen quite a few people who appear to have not disposed of any masks yet, and seem to be wearing the same one from day 1 of the outbreak !  

Maybe, a bit more effort should be put in, explaining to people how excessive same mask use could be unhygienic ?

Edited January 10, 2021 by Thaiwrath

[Tropicalevo]

Well, it is a serious problem and I am pleased that someone has raised it, giving us a solution.

Great in theory, but in practice..........

[Phuketshrew]

Surely soaking and washing them in washing powder with bleach/disinfectant added prior to disposal would be more effective. I have yet to see a designated point for face mask disposal in our community.

[KannikaP]

Ours get burned with all the other rubbish weekly. We have no collection or disposal places in our village community.

[Bender Rodriguez]

funny, since the "no more plastic bags" - even some were bio degradable, these masks create more pollution than the bags

[RJRS1301]

All the waste being created by santiser containers, paper for cleaning and of course the masks, will be buildiing up and some will become infectious and handled by many in the collection industry, possibly leading other infections from househole disposal 

[Cake Monster]

Maybe they will get to be recycled and resale, as were 200 Million Pairs of Rubber Gloves

[Caldera]

Where are those "designated points for used face mask in your community" ? I can't say I've ever seen one!

 

 

[Trujillo]

Dump them into the sea. The salt water will neutralize the pathogens....

[Golden Triangle]

Designated disposal point in Pattaya probably means wherever you want, along with old toilets, old sinks, old mattresses & general building waste, I've yet to see a designated point, maybe the authorities are still checking likely spots.

[Scott Tracy]

10 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Ours get burned with all the other rubbish weekly. We have no collection or disposal places in our village.

Ours too. But we are the only ones that seem to wear them around the village, so not really a pollution issue. Well, no more than usual.

[shambo]

I wonder about reusing cotton masks. I have around 10 and after using a mask during shopping for 20 min every second day or so I hang it up at my balcony. Next day I take one hanging out for at least 10 days. Cant be any virus left there? What do you think, thank you?