To prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the public, the demand and consumption of personal protective equipment (PPE) increased drastically. Such wide use of PPE has brough a new challenge to waste management and disposal. It is difficult to sort PPE waste before further treatment, and such waste will often end up being processed by some traditional disposal methods. During the pandemic, incineration and landfill facilities are currently under significant pressure. In addition, a certain amount of PPE waste is discarded into the environment rather than going to landfills and incinerators. It not only directly affects the ecosystem, but also indirectly threatens human health through various routes of exposure. PPE waste is also the source and carrier of pathogens and chemical contaminants, causing a secondary pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate strategies to deal with the PPE problems related to energy, environment and health, requiring the collaborative efforts of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and governments.

中文翻译：

---

COVID-19 大流行期间个人防护设备废物管理和处置的新挑战

为防止冠状病毒 (SARS-CoV-2) 在公众中传播，个人防护装备 (PPE) 的需求和消费急剧增加。个人防护装备的如此广泛使用给废物管理和处置带来了新的挑战。在进一步处理之前很难对 PPE 废物进行分类，并且这些废物通常最终会通过一些传统的处置方法进行处理。在大流行期间，焚烧和垃圾填埋场设施目前面临巨大压力。此外，一定数量的 PPE 废物被丢弃到环境中，而不是进入垃圾填埋场和焚化炉。它不仅直接影响生态系统，还通过各种接触途径间接威胁人类健康。PPE废物也是病原体和化学污染物的来源和载体，造成二次污染。