Disposable Mask Waste Threatens Wildlife

JAKARTA - It could be that disposable masks are useful in saving many human lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, this mask has side effects. The waste, in fact, can threaten the survival of wildlife.

The Animal Rights Organization, PETA, said that many animals have been trapped and then died because of mask waste. As reported by CNA, PETA said disposable masks had littered wildlife habitats. Disposable masks have been found scattered around sidewalks, waterways and beaches.

"Disposable masks will still be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, when we throw them away, these items can damage the environment and the animals that share our planet," said PETA activist Ashley Fruno.

Ashley said, another example of dangerous mask waste for wildlife has occurred in many countries. In Malaysia, for example, a monkey almost died while chewing on the rope from a disposable mask that was thrown away carelessly.

Not only that, there are also seagulls who almost died in England because they were caught in a mask strap for a week. However, the wildlife rescue service, RSPCA in the city of Chelsford moved quickly to save the bird and take him to a wildlife hospital.

"Obviously the mask was there for some time and the elastic band had tightened around his leg because the joint was swollen and sore," said RSPCA inspector Adam Jones.

Meanwhile, the biggest impact is related to the possibility that single-use masks can contaminate water. This is because there have been many findings that used masks, gloves and other protective equipment were thrown away carelessly.

Previously, environmental activist group OceansAsia more than 1.5 billion disposable masks have been in the world's oceans in the last year. This number is a sign that disposable mask waste is a big threat to the world's oceans.