Awareness campaign on safe disposal of masks and gloves

Chandigarh: Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee along with Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University and Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh today released an Information Education and Communication(IEC) material on safe disposal of face masks, wipes and gloves by the general public during COVID-19 pandemic.
ShriT.C. Nautiyal, IFS, Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Chandigarh released the IEC material.On this occasion, he highlighted that face masks, face covers, and gloves are part of new normal life, and people should know how to dispose of them safely. He mentioned that masks, wipes, and gloves used by the general public should be first placed in a polybag for 3-days before handing over to waste collectors. Shri Nautiya lhighlighted that this would help to restrict the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Dr. Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, mentioned that only through public participation, we can restrict the spread of COVID-19 and each citizen should understand their responsibilities  for the safe disposal of used masks and gloves. Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Additional Professor of Environment Health, PGIMER,highlighted the importance of rational use of masks and urged the general public to make use of homemade face covers as surgical triple layer masks, or N95 masks usually are required for special settings such as hospitals.
On this occasion, Sh. Vivek Pandey, Scientist-D and Sh. Sushil Dogra, Scientist-B were also present. They mentioned that these IEC leaflets will be placed at prominent public places for mass awareness. These IEC activities are being conducted under the National Clean Air Programme(NCAP) of which Dr. Suman Mor is a nodal faculty for Chandigarh, and she is also a part of the expert panel of Nation Knowledge Network.
These IEC materials being jointly designed by a team working with Dr.Suman Mor, Chairperson, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University and Dr.Ravindra Khaiwal, Additional Professor of Environment Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh following the latest guidelines to aware the general public to follow the safe disposal practices. The team emphasizes on ‘simple action for corona prevention’.