Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic: A letter to the editor on "Envisioning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of clean water sanitation, life below water, and life on land in Fiji"

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic is a designated worldwide public health emergency, the use of a variety of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) has escalated as a means of reducing infection. Emerging reports imply that the rapid expansion of PPE during the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated microplastics contamination in the ocean. In response, this letter to the editor will disclose the impact of PPEs on clean water sanitation, life below water, and life on land in regards to SDGs 6, 14, and 15, respectively.

Keywords: And SDGs; COVID-19 pandemic; Marine ecosystem; PEE; Pollution.