Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani

COVID-19 has sparked a worldwide emergency and prompted concerns about waste management due to the excessive face mask waste generated globally. Malaysia records over 10 million face masks binned daily and in average a person spends RM180/year on face masks since the pandemic outbreak. Therefore, th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Abirami , V. Veeramani
Format: Thesis
Published: 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/
http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/1/Abirami_V.Veeramani.jpg
http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/8/abirami.pdf
_version_ 1848774715185823744
author Abirami , V. Veeramani
author_facet Abirami , V. Veeramani
author_sort Abirami , V. Veeramani
building UM Research Repository
collection Online Access
description COVID-19 has sparked a worldwide emergency and prompted concerns about waste management due to the excessive face mask waste generated globally. Malaysia records over 10 million face masks binned daily and in average a person spends RM180/year on face masks since the pandemic outbreak. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current issues arising from face mask waste from safety and waste dimension in Malaysia. The main objectives of this study are to identify the face mask usage among Malaysian and provide the best safety and waste practices of face mask. Questionnaire and case study analysis have been conducted to collect the data in this study. The questionnaires were distributed to a random population to understand their current practices in wearing face masks, selection preferences and face mask waste management and knowledge level. The data was analyzed using SPSS analytical tool. The result shows that majority (73.3 %) of the respondent agreed choosing face mask that is comfort and fit to their face. Besides, 77.2% of responded agreed that the level of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) is important in mask selection. And, around 90 respondents agreed wearing double mask in public spaces. According to 52.8% respondents, N95 masks are most effective in providing protection against COVID-19. 65% respondents are not satisfied with available information of disposal of face masks. Finally, based on the results obtained through the analysis, a guidance was developed to assist users on end-to-end process to improve their management of face mask. Since many nations considering COVID-19 as an endemic phase and thus existence of face mask may prolong longer in usage, this research will assist in developing enhanced public knowledge on safe use and effective face mask waste management for all level of stakeholders.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T14:02:42Z
format Thesis
id um-12714
institution University Malaya
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T14:02:42Z
publishDate 2021
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling um-127142021-12-15T19:46:28Z Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani Abirami , V. Veeramani TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering COVID-19 has sparked a worldwide emergency and prompted concerns about waste management due to the excessive face mask waste generated globally. Malaysia records over 10 million face masks binned daily and in average a person spends RM180/year on face masks since the pandemic outbreak. Therefore, this study aims to explore the current issues arising from face mask waste from safety and waste dimension in Malaysia. The main objectives of this study are to identify the face mask usage among Malaysian and provide the best safety and waste practices of face mask. Questionnaire and case study analysis have been conducted to collect the data in this study. The questionnaires were distributed to a random population to understand their current practices in wearing face masks, selection preferences and face mask waste management and knowledge level. The data was analyzed using SPSS analytical tool. The result shows that majority (73.3 %) of the respondent agreed choosing face mask that is comfort and fit to their face. Besides, 77.2% of responded agreed that the level of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) is important in mask selection. And, around 90 respondents agreed wearing double mask in public spaces. According to 52.8% respondents, N95 masks are most effective in providing protection against COVID-19. 65% respondents are not satisfied with available information of disposal of face masks. Finally, based on the results obtained through the analysis, a guidance was developed to assist users on end-to-end process to improve their management of face mask. Since many nations considering COVID-19 as an endemic phase and thus existence of face mask may prolong longer in usage, this research will assist in developing enhanced public knowledge on safe use and effective face mask waste management for all level of stakeholders. 2021-09 Thesis NonPeerReviewed application/pdf http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/1/Abirami_V.Veeramani.jpg application/pdf http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/8/abirami.pdf Abirami , V. Veeramani (2021) Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaya. http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/
spellingShingle TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Abirami , V. Veeramani
Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title_full Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title_fullStr Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title_full_unstemmed Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title_short Facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / Abirami V. Veeramani
title_sort facemask usage and disposal practices from safety and waste perspective / abirami v. veeramani
topic TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
url http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/
http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/1/Abirami_V.Veeramani.jpg
http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/12714/8/abirami.pdf