The diffusion of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impacted the whole world, changing the life habits of billions of people. These changes caused an abundant increase in personal protective equipment (PPE, e.g., masks and gloves) use by the general population, which can become a concerning issue of plastic pollution. This study aims to evaluate the negative effects of the abundant PPE use following the COVID-19 diffusion using the test site of the Lombardy region, an area highly affected by the pandemic. Population data were retrieved from national databases, and the COVID-19 national guidelines were considered to estimate the total use of PPEs during 2020. Then, the quantity of waste derived from their use was evaluated based on the weight of PPEs. As well, possible scenarios for 2021 were proposed based on 2020 estimations. The results suggested different negative effects of the diffusion of PPEs both on waste management and on the environment: The abundant increase in PPEs-derived waste caused an increase in terms of costs for management, and the potential direct spreading in the environment of these materials (especially masks) poses a serious threat for an increase in microplastics in water bodies. Following this evaluation, a careful choice regarding COVID-19 measures of containment should be performed especially by the general population, avoiding contagion diffusion and reducing the possible environmental impact derived from disposable PPE use.

中文翻译：

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评估COVID-19大流行期间一般人群使用个人防护设备的环境影响：以伦巴第为例（意大利北部）

冠状病毒疾病（COVID-19）的传播影响了整个世界，改变了数十亿人的生活习惯。这些变化导致普通人群使用的个人防护设备（如防护装备，例如口罩和手套）大量增加，这可能成为引起塑料污染的问题。这项研究的目的是评估伦巴第大区（伦巴第大区）的测试地点在COVID-19扩散后大量使用PPE的负面影响。从国家数据库中检索人口数据，并考虑使用COVID-19国家准则来估计2020年PPE的总使用量。然后，根据PPE的重量评估其使用产生的废物量。同样，根据2020年的估算提出了2021年的可能方案。结果表明，PPE的扩散对废物管理和环境都有不同的负面影响：源自PPE的废物的大量增加导致管理成本的增加，以及这些材料在环境中的潜在直接传播（尤其是口罩）对水体中微量塑料的增加构成了严重威胁。进行此评估后，应该对COVID-19遏制措施进行谨慎的选择，尤其是对于一般人群，避免传染性扩散，并减少一次性PPE使用可能对环境造成的影响。这些材料（尤其是口罩）在环境中的潜在直接传播对水体中微量塑料的增加构成了严重威胁。进行此评估后，应该对COVID-19遏制措施进行谨慎的选择，尤其是对于一般人群，避免传染性扩散，并减少一次性PPE使用可能对环境造成的影响。这些材料（尤其是口罩）在环境中的潜在直接传播对水体中微量塑料的增加构成了严重威胁。进行此评估后，应该对COVID-19遏制措施进行谨慎的选择，尤其是对于一般人群，避免传染性扩散，并减少一次性PPE使用可能对环境造成的影响。