Use of disposable personal protective equipment kits to combat covid 19: pollution and disposal

The recent pandemic COVID 19 is taking many nations into its grasp. The medical workers are working as the frontline force in tackling this global epidemic. The virus being very contagious, it is necessary to prevent the spread from an infected person to the medical personnels. This requires the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits by the medical workers. The PPE kits are available in both disposable and non disposable variants. The PPE kits such as coveralls and protective gowns are manufactured commonly from HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene). The disposable PPE kits are adding to the burden of non disposable garbage. As HDPE is non biodegradable and can take centuries to decompose, therefore HDPE PPE kits are impacting the environment. The safe measures of disposal of the biomedical waste is a prime concern now a days as the COVID 19 pandemic spreads from the infected. The alternatives of HDPE for manufacturing of PPE kits and disposal of HDPE PPE kits are one of the major concerns now.