Effects of COVID-19 on the environment: An overview on air, water, wastewater, and solid waste

Elsaid, Khaled; Olabi, Valentina; Sayed, Enas Taha; Wilberforce, Tabbi; Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112694

Cited by 94 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 116 publications

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“…This decrease may be due to a lower purchasing power of families caused by the economic recession resulting from the quarantine (Ikiz et al 2021 , Naughton 2020 ). It has been widely recognized that the shutdown of activities has caused large economic losses (Elsaid et al 2021 ). Another explanation for the decrease in waste generation could be the sample selection as explained in the limitation of the methodology (Section Limitations of the methodology).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The quarantines and social distancing measures imposed produced a series of positive environmental impacts such as the reduction of air and water pollution (Saadat et al 2020 ), decrease in noise pollution, decline on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and, lessening on wildlife trade and deforestation (Patrício Silva et al 2021 ). However, several negative environmental impacts have also emerged, for example, diminution in indoor air quality (Patrício Silva et al 2021 ); higher levels of persistent chemicals in wastewater due to the increased consumption of antibiotics, sanitizers and disinfectants (Elsaid et al 2021 ); and an increase of medical waste (Singh and Tirkey 2021 ), especially masks, gloves and hand sanitizers (Bashir et al 2020 , Thakur 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Virtual Methodology for Household Waste Characterization During The Pandemic in An Urban District of Peru: Citizen Science for Waste Management

Requena-Sanchez

Carbonel

Moonsammy

et al. 2022

Environmental Management

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The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the alteration of many aspects of the solid waste management chain, such as variations in the waste composition, generation and disposal. Various studies have examined these changes with analysis of integrated waste management strategies; qualitative studies on perceived variations and statistical evaluations based on waste collected or disposed in landfills. Despite this information there is a need for updated data on waste generation and composition, especially in developing countries. The objective of this article is to develop a data sampling and analytical approach for the collection of data on household waste generation and composition during the pandemic; and, in addition, estimate the daily generation of masks in the study area. The proposed methodology is based on the principles of citizen science and utilizes virtual tools to contact participants, and for the training and collection of information. The study participants collected the information, installed segregation bins in their homes and trained their relatives in waste segregation. The article presents the results of the application of the methodology in an urban district of Lima (Peru) in August 2020. The results suggest an apparent decrease in household waste per capita and a slight increase in plastics composition in the study area. It is estimated that each participant generates 0.124 masks per day and 0.085 pairs of gloves per day. The method developed and results presented can be used as a tool for public awareness and training on household waste characterization and segregation. Furthermore it can provide the necessary evidence to inform policy directives in response household waste issues and Covid-19 restrictions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Methodology for Household Waste Characterization During The Pandemic in An Urban District of Peru: Citizen Science for Waste Management

Requena-Sanchez

Carbonel

Moonsammy

et al. 2022

Environmental Management

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“…For example, in outdoor environments where sewers are exposed and open, contaminated aerosolized particles can be the main source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, so specific actions such as sewer cover-ups, disinfection treatments, and aerosolized air control systems can be very effective (Senatore et al 2021 ). On the other hand, the increasing use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers, as well as any medications, has shown that the organic load in wastewater has increased, which, if not properly treated, can become a means of transporting and spreading SARS-CoV-2 infection (Elsaid et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The quality of the wastewater has deteriorated as a result of the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the wastewater, and proper wastewater treatment is required to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Furthermore, increased use of disinfectants and hand sanitizers, as well as any medications, has been shown to increase the organic load of wastewater, which, if not properly treated, can become a means of transporting and spreading SARS-CoV-2 infection (Elsaid et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on the Potential of Common Disinfection Processes for the Removal of Virus from Wastewater

Milani

Bidhendi

2022

Int J Environ Res

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Due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as findings of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and the possibility of viral transmission through wastewater, disinfection is required. As a consequence, based on prior investigations, this work initially employed the viral concentration detection technique, followed by the RT-qPCR assay, as the foundation for identifying the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater. After that, the ability and efficacy of chlorine, ozone, and UV disinfection to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from wastewater were examined. Chlorine disinfection is the most extensively used disinfection technology due to its multiple advantages. With a chlorine dioxide disinfectant dose of 40 mg/L, the SARS-CoV virus is inactivated after 30 min of contact time. On the other hand, ozone is a powerful oxidizer and an effective microbicide that is employed as a disinfectant due to its positive characteristics. After 30 min of exposure to 1000 ppmv ozone, corona pseudoviruses are reduced by 99%. Another common method of disinfection is using ultraviolet radiation, which is usually 253.7 nm suitable for ultraviolet disinfection. At a dose of 1048 mJ/cm 2 , UVC radiation completely inactivates the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Finally, to evaluate disinfection performance and optimize disinfection strategies to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, this study attempted to investigate the ability to remove and compare the effectiveness of each disinfectant to inactive the SARS-CoV-2 virus from wastewater, summarize studies, and provide future solutions due to the limited availability of integrated resources in this field and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide.

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“…Therefore, measures like ensuring proper ventilation are critical to offering a healthy indoor environment for the safety of inhabitants and at the same time, to reduce the spread of the disease (Agarwal et al, 2021). While many places experienced improved water quality in natural resources, wastewater treatment plants reported a higher level of organic load and chemical contaminants due to the increased use of sanitisers, disinfectants, and antibiotics (Elsaid et al, 2021). Wastewater had to be properly treated before being discharged into biological treatment facilities and subsequently into water bodies (Leonhauser et al, 2014).…”

Section: Limitation Of the Study And Recommendationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive global environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a review

et al. 2021

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Global environmental change is mainly due to human behaviours and is a major threat to sustainability. Despite all the health and economic consequences, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on environmental health warrants the scientific community's attention. Thus, this article examined and narratively reviewed the impact of several drastic measures taken on the macro environment and holistic planetary health. We note that the amount of pollution in the air, water, soil, and noise showed a significant decline during the pandemic. Global air quality improved due to lower anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants and atmospheric particles. Water ecosystems also demonstrated signs of recuperation in many countries. Less commercial fishing internationally resulted in the restoration of some aquatic life. Additionally, significant reduction of solid and water waste led to less soil pollution. Some places experienced cleaner beaches and ocean water while wildlife sightings in urban areas across the world occurred more often. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown also led to a worldwide decline in noise pollution. However, the beneficial environmental effects will not be permanent as

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Effects of COVID-19 on the environment: An overview on air, water, wastewater, and solid waste

Cited by 94 publications

References 116 publications

Virtual Methodology for Household Waste Characterization During The Pandemic in An Urban District of Peru: Citizen Science for Waste Management

Virtual Methodology for Household Waste Characterization During The Pandemic in An Urban District of Peru: Citizen Science for Waste Management

A Review on the Potential of Common Disinfection Processes for the Removal of Virus from Wastewater

Positive global environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a review

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