Authors
1 Department of Occupational Health EngineeringTorbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
2 Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical of Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Spread of novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 [SARS‑CoV‑2]) has become a global and pandemic crisis. Some measures such as excessive
use of disinfectants, increased production of nonbiodegradable waste, and water pollution will be
the consequences of fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19), which harms the
environment. Due to the fact that these effects will be identified in the long term, they may be
neglected in the current situation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the environmental
challenges caused by the SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic crisis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a review study conducted by search in databases, including
Scopus, PubMed, and science direct until early May 2020. Keywords included “SARS‑CoV‑2,”
“COVID‑19,” and “Environment.” Studies published in English and conducted in different countries
were also selected for the analysis. The guidelines published by reputable organizations such as
the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control prevention (CDC), and the Ministry
of Health have also been used in this study.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that the COVID‑19 virus, in addition to human
damage and mortality, also affects the environment, and the damages and losses resulting from
this pandemic may be identified later. Water pollution, increasing chemical pollution in the air, and
increasing the production of nonbiodegradable waste are of these issues. For this purpose, it is
recommended that, in addition to trying to improve the control of this pandemic, other environmental
aspects in disinfection methods and disposal of dry and wet contaminated waste should be done
more accurately and based on standard protocols. Infectious waste, in addition to the problem of
standard sanitation, will become a major challenge that pollutes the environment. Based on this, it
can be said that if home quarantine is observed voluntarily, in addition to reducing the risk of the
SARS‑CoV‑2 and reducing the volume of visits to medical centers, it can be associated with another
positive achievement, which is the reduction in waste production and protection of the environment.
Keywords
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