The Covid-19 pandemic is creating a mountain of plastic medical waste that is polluting the land and sea — alarming doctors and environmentalists alike.
The garments are made from a fabric similar to the coating used on surfaces in viral research laboratories.
“We're not just making medical apparel, we want to create a movement for a greener medical industry.”MEDU's garments are embedded with QR technology which informs health workers, via a smartphone app, how many times an item has been washed. About 129-billion disposable masks, mostly made from plastic microfibres, and 65-billion disposable gloves have been used every month during the pandemic, according to a study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Tom Dawson, founder of Revolution-ZERO which has developed a range of “planet-saving PPE” in Britain, said the pandemic had reversed recent progress on cutting plastic use.When the pandemic struck many governments stockpiled disposable PPE which they are supplying free, meaning hospitals have no economic incentive to buy reusable products.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19 one of the challenges facing education sector: researcherPupils are expected to go back to school on Monday after an extended school holiday.
Read more »
Zim journalism union concerned over COVID-19The union wants authorities and media houses to make sure reporters are safe while doing their jobs.
Read more »
Teachers refusing Covid-19 jab must produce medical report: departmentThe department of basic education is forcing teachers who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid on medical grounds to produce a detailed medical report indicating that taking the vaccine will 'pose a health hazard' to them.
Read more »
Some Americans could need Covid-19 vaccine booster — FauciTop infectious disease official Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that Americans who are immune compromised may end up needing Covid-19 vaccine booster shots as the US deals with increasing cases from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Read more »
Covid-19 update: SA records 9,718 new cases, 287 deathsAccording to the NICD, the 7-day moving average daily number of cases has decreased.
Read more »