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KUALA LUMPUR: There are no plans to review laws on the disposal of non-clinical used Covid-19 face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE), says Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
The environment and water minister said that only masks and personal protective equipment classified as clinical waste were considered scheduled waste, which must be disposed of at sites approved by the ministry.
“The plastic and the mask used by the public in places such as wet markets, supermarkets, offices and factories for protection against infections are classified as household waste and not clinical waste.
“These wastes can be disposed of as household waste at sites managed by municipalities or the Ministry of Housing and Local Government,” he said when answering a question posed by Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN-Machang) during question time at Dewan Rakyat el Tuesday (November 3).
Ahmad Jazlan wanted to know if special disposal sites would be established in all states for the disposal of masks, plastic gloves and PPE in light of the increase in items due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tuan Ibrahim acknowledged that there has been a 20% increase in the use of PPE since the Covid-19 outbreak in March.
However, he explained that it was not necessary to review the law on the elimination of non-clinical PPE, as it could lead to increased costs and confusion among the public.
“There are two types of PPE, namely for clinical and non-clinical use.
“It is not necessary to classify non-clinical PPE, such as those used in salons, as clinical waste, as this would create additional cost and confusion among the public,” he said.
Tuan Ibrahim said the definition of clinical waste includes items that contain human or animal tissue, blood, bodily fluids, excreta, drugs, pharmaceuticals, dirty swabs or dressings, syringes and needles that could pose a danger to humans if they come into contact. .
He added that clinical waste from hospitals and Covid-19 designated centers was disposed of in accordance with the regulations of the Environmental Quality Act of 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations of 2005.
He noted that those who violated the regulations could face a maximum fine of RM500,000, or five years in jail, or both when found guilty.
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