Sachet water quality and Vendors’ practices in Damongo, northern Ghana during the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 using multivariate statistics, water quality and pollution indices, and panel assessment

Microbial contamination and quantitative microbial risk assessment of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film sachet drinking water in Ghana

The present research estimated the impact of storage on the microbial quality of high-density polyethylene drinking water. Samples were taken from two popular companies in Greater Accra using a two-sided exact test in SAS JMP to estimate the sample size. The samples were stored across three temperature profiles at 8 °C, 30 °C (average room temperature), and 40 °C (average outdoor temperature) for 28 days. The samples were examined using standard microbiological methods for heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs), faecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The data were described and regressed with Microsoft Excel, Argo 4.3.1, and SAS JMP software. The results demonstrated increasing deterioration of the water samples for all microbial indices at all temperatures with increasing storage duration. The highest HPC, faecal coliforms, and E. coli were 1,312; 622; and 252 cfu/100 mL, respectively, all at 40 °C. The daily risk of infection due to E. coli O157:H7 was 5.22 × 10^-5 infections per child per day for children under 5 years, and 1.6 × 10^-4 attacks per adult per day, compared to the upper limit of 1.0 × 10^-6. These results are higher than recommended exposures, and interventions along the sachet drinking water value chain are needed to protect public health.

Are used face masks handled as infectious waste? Novel pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic

The extensive use of face masks has raised concerns about environmental pollution through improper disposal of used face masks after the emergence of COVID-19. The increasing use of PPEs to preventing the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in several environmental hazards, creating a new environmental barrier for solid waste management and worsened plastic pollution. This study aimed at assessing the occurrence and distribution of face masks in a metropolitan (Adum - Kumasi), municipal (Ejisu), community (Abenase) and an institution (KNUST) in Ghana. The study showed that a total of 535 face masks were numerated along a stretch of 1,720 m with a density ranging from 0.04 m to 0.42 m. A no significant relationship (P = 0.602) was established between the observation distances and the number of waste face masks numerated. The study also showed that for a 1% increase in the number of face masks on working days, there would be a 0.775% increase in non-working days. A review of literature showed that the disposal of used face masks results in the release of micro- and nano-plastics, Pb, Cu, Sb, Zn, Mn, Ti, Fe and Ca into environmental media. Plastic pollution may be a concern to ecosystems due to its persistence in the environment, lack of environmental awareness, sensitization and education, and poor waste management systems. To ensure a sustainable management of waste face masks, significant efforts are needed. These may include proper disposal, redesigning and producing masks from biodegradable materials, incorporating waste face masks into construction materials, and recycling PPE by pyrolyzing are suggested options for the effective management of face masks.

Healthcare waste management in the Tamale Central Hospital, northern Ghana. An assessment before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana

Healthcare waste (HCW) poses several environmental and public health challenges. However, much attention has not been given to its management. The present study sought to assess the healthcare waste management (HCWM) practices in the Tamale Central Hospital (TCH) by characterizing and measuring the quantities of waste generated and the associated implications. Observation of the value chain of healthcare waste management, waste quantification using a weighing scale (Top-pan-spring balance), and semi-structured interviews were used in the data collection. The study revealed that, except for sharps, there was no segregation of infectious and non-infectious waste, and healthcare waste was not treated before final disposal. The study showed that a daily record of 5.1 kg of sharps, 24.46 kg of infectious waste and 59.45 kg of general waste was generated. The maternity ward produced more general waste (14 kg), whereas the theatre generated the highest infectious waste (5.70 kg) and sharps (0.8 kg) daily. Generally, the maternity ward recorded the highest daily waste generation of 17.9 kg. The waste treatment method available in the hospital was incineration. However, the incinerator was found to be dysfunctional. Thus, an improvised method (dug pit) was used irrespective of the associated health and environmental implications. The study also revealed that the hospital did not quantify the amount of solid waste that was generated. Inadequate finance and lack of supervision were linked to the problem of poor healthcare waste management in the study area. Also, 82% of the workers mentioned that there was poor HCW segregation at the departments whereas 76% of the patients who received healthcare at the facility were unsatisfied with the HCWM practices. A strong linear relationship in the responses made was recorded. The healthcare waste management index showed that the HCWM practice at the facility was unsatisfactory as it was medium-ranked. The study, therefore, recommends that the hospital considers constructing an on-site waste treatment facility, segregate and quantify waste for effective allocation of resources for treating healthcare waste.