Read on Twitter
New paper alertThrilled to share a great team effort by @jackie_saturno @AmyLBrooks90 @shoshanahjacobs @JambeckResearch
An emerging source of #plasticpollution: Environmental presence of plastic PPE debris related to #COVID19 in a metropolitan city https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749120368494
2020 was a dumpster
. Instead of focusing on the my
partner @jackie_saturno & I focused on the #garbage. On our walks we started #trackingPPE: disposable 
, 
, disinfectant wipes.
How much PPE debris was ending up on our streets? Where was it coming from?
. Instead of focusing on the my partner @jackie_saturno & I focused on the #garbage. On our walks we started #trackingPPE: disposable , , disinfectant wipes.How much PPE debris was ending up on our streets? Where was it coming from?
We started a survey in the neighbourhood and city where I grew up, Toronto, 
. We assessed #PPE in diff. areas of human activity: residential areas
, a recreational trail 
, the hospital district 
& grocery store parking lots 
We took safety precautions for the pandemic.
. We assessed #PPE in diff. areas of human activity: residential areas, a recreational trail , the hospital district & grocery store parking lots We took safety precautions for the pandemic.
We used #citizenscience tech. @DebrisTracker as our field notebook. This app recorded the geographic locations of PPE debris. #Openaccess data & #accessible scientific tools are the future of #science!
@InsideNatGeo @NatGeoEducation @UGANewMaterials @UGAResearch
@InsideNatGeo @NatGeoEducation @UGANewMaterials @UGAResearch
@AmyLBrooks90 the geospatial rockstar made these amazing maps outlining the distribution of #PPE. In a matter of 5 weeks between 2 people we found 1,300 discarded items in a slice of #Toronto. Our #plasticpollution landscape is changing to include an influx of COVID-19 debris.
The highest density of PPE was recorded in the grocery store parking lots while the downtown hospital district followed.
Given the hospital has a tight PPE disposal system there is a clear leak in the pipeline that is resulting in #pollution @JohnTory @UHN @TOPublicHealth
while the downtown hospital district followed.Given the hospital has a tight PPE disposal system there is a clear leak in the pipeline that is resulting in #pollution @JohnTory @UHN @TOPublicHealth
Although the lowest density of PPE was observed on the recreational trail, images like this demonstrate that our #water and #wildlife is directly at risk. This plastic spillage from the pandemic is impacting our environment. @TRCA_HQ @TorontoPFR @OceanaCAN
Astoundingly we found that the majority of PPE were disposable gloves! With a high proportion being disinfectant wipes.
@GovCanHealth & @CDCgov recommend the use ofto protect against COVID19. The consumption of #singleuseplastics like gloves and wipes is alarming. @CBCToronto
@GovCanHealth & @CDCgov recommend the use of
to protect against COVID19. The consumption of #singleuseplastics like gloves and wipes is alarming. @CBCToronto
What can we do?
1.
use of disposable & 
hands frequently
2. Encourage use of reusable
3. Develop PPE disposal practices & improve collection methods, support research
4.
public awareness on PPE disposal prac through targeted gov'n education campaigns
@ChiefSciCan
1.
use of disposable & hands frequently 2. Encourage use of reusable
3. Develop PPE disposal practices & improve collection methods, support research
4.
public awareness on PPE disposal prac through targeted gov'n education campaigns@ChiefSciCan
Work like this is never done alone. Thank you to @tonyrwalker1 for making space for our voices, @lucasjohnharris & @rebecca_altman for their advice, Kathryn Youngblood from MDT. Mentorship from @shoshanahjacobs & @JambeckResearch was absolutely critical- thank you both!
Thanks to all of our extended #trackingPPE family @PegKeiner @Curiosity_Films @BradWeilerDives @Maggiew27 @PradelAlice @ValescadeGroot @unplastify @bailey_elan @TashJs @a_la_carti @TaylorMorriseau @lucasjohnharris and so many others!
