January 29, 2021

Covid Takes a Toll on the Environment

A new paper from CIRT Co-Founder Dr. Jenna Jambeck demonstrates that the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected environmental health as well as human. Using a survey of areas in Toronto, Canada, they demonstrate that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves, face masks, and disinfecting wipes are found among metropolitan debris. The areas with the highest density of PPE debris were grocery store parking lots and near the hospital. This research emphasizes the need for resilient metropolitan waste streams that can adapt to changing conditions and emergencies. Read the full paper here.

Graphical abstract, reprinted from Environmental Pollution Vol 269