the head of the Duma Committee on ecology and environmental protection Vladimir burmatov (“ER”) insists: used by citizens to protect against coronavirus mask and gloves threat, they should be disposed of in a specific pattern, and paying for it should be sellers of such goods. The view of the government on this account is not yet known.
At a press conference on may 19, Mr. burmatov has informed that has already directed to the Ministry of health, Rospotrebnadzor and the Russian environmental operator (engaged in the coordination of regional waste operators) the letter of offer to extend to become goods of mass demand masks, gloves, respirators, face shields and safety glasses the same disposal regulations implemented in the health facilities. Now all this is thrown out by citizens in the ordinary tanks for waste collection, bins, and even on the street, collected and transported to landfills along with other solid waste. In hospitals or clinics used masks and gloves, as required by the approved CPS SanPiN, in a special way collected, disinfected (e.g., treated with high temperature steam), and disposed of on the basis of contracts concluded with specialized organizations.
“you see, there is something surreal in the fact that if you went with the mask from the hospital and threw it in the trash on the hospital grounds is a dangerous method, but if you went beyond the hospital and just threw the mask in the trash, which for its territory – nothing threat to municipal solid waste, it can collect the janitor or employees of the company on garbage removal, which are not protected, and disposed of this waste will be on regular garbage dumps, where will decompose at best for decades,” – said “MK” Mr. Burmatov. According to him, in recent months outside hospitals used “about 10 million units of medical products every day,” and the recommendation of the CPS “to wrap used masks and gloves in a separate plastic bags at least 2 times increases the waste.”
the scheme costs money. But the head of the Duma Committee on ecology, believes that “those companies that sell masks and gloves to citizens able to pay for the services of specialized organizations, and nothing prevents the pharmacies get now super-profits, to establish separate containers, and then collected to donate to those involved in disposing of medical products in a professional manner”. The additional capacity that will have to deploy such specialized companies, can later be used for disposal of other hazardous methodof formed in everyday life: used syringes, expired and no pills, blisters, considers the Deputy.
But the masks and PErcadi are sold not only in pharmacies but also in shops, in the subway, on markets, on the Internet. Where can supply tank online store that sells medical products at retail, or whether the special tanks to be at all exits of the subway or shops – is unclear…
the Response from the government in the state Duma has not yet received. Meanwhile, on 17 may, the representative of the world health organization in Russia, Melita Vujnović said that the masks “must be disposed of as household waste, they pose a danger directly when removed, but after some time – almost none”. What about gloves – in who did not think, because in the world mainly as a means of protection used masks, she said in a live YouTube channel and the head of another Duma Committee on natural resources, property and land relations Nikolay Nikolaev (“ER”). By the way, Mr. Nikolaev is also led, then, the numbers that indicate the scale of the problem: daily total demand for masks, 50 million pieces, the 10 rail cars, while reliable studies how dangerous such a waste yet.
Mr. Burmatov did not comment to reporters, the above statement by Ms. Vujnović: “I find it difficult to appreciate her words, because I personally discussed this issue, she supported me, and her statement on this subject had previously been cited by the Federal mass media”. Necessarily in the state Duma parliamentary hearings will be held with the participation of experts on the problem of medical waste as soon as you soften the epidemiological limitations, assured the head of the Committee on ecology.
