Page 28 - ETP-April-May2020

INSIGHT

Masks and respirators are manu-
factured using non-woven fabrics “PPE, INCLUDING MASKS, GLOVES, RESPIRATORS,
(similar to thick carry bags resem- FACE SHIELDS, HEAD AND FOOT COVERS,
bling cloth, available in market) MEDICAL GOWNS AND APRONS, IS MADE UP OF
made from plastics like polypropyl- SINGLE USE PLASTIC. ALSO, THERE IS A KEY ROLE
ene to filter the virus. They are also OF OTHER PLASTICS IN THE MANUFACTURE
available in many different grades OF PROTECTIVE GOGGLES, THERMAL
(filtering ability) depending on the
level of protection the user requires. THERMOMETERS, OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Other plastics such as polystyrene, AND EVEN VENTILATORS.”
polycarbonate, polyethylene, or pol-
yester are also used to make masks. four patients during emergencies.
Scientist world over are working Few more innovations such as 3D
24/7 to tackle the present calam- printed masks etc. also make use of
ity. There is a proposal to consider this technology. Another team of re-
adopting “bag valve masks”. Bag searchers have developed a low-cost,
valve masks are small, handheld, self- indigenous prototype of polymer
inflatable devices made from metal swab to collect of samples for coro-
and plastic gears, used to deliver navirus testing.
breathing support in emergency sit- Safe disposal of infected se-
uations. Another innovation, which cretions and body fluids from
selectively separates oxygen from COVID-19 patients in hospitals
atmospheric air, uses membranes and quarantine centers is another
entirely made up of polymers. ‘Oxy- important issue. To tackle this, sci-
gen enrichment units’ which make entists have developed a polymeric
use of polymeric hollow fiber mem- These detect people with fever up to superabsorbent material which ab-
branes are one of the critical needs five meters away and sound an alarm sorbs infected body fluid efficiently.
of COVID-19 patients due to poor when anyone with high temperature This technology allows safe disposal
lungs condition. comes close. Efforts are underway to of medical waste reducing the risk of
A shortage of PPE is forcing develop robots that will serve medi- secondary infection.
health workers to use alternative cines and food in isolation wards and In addition to the above, plastics
safety gears made of plastic water reduce exposure risk. are also being used in sample col-
jars, plastic sheets, plastic laundry To meet the urgent need re- lection tubes, syringes, blood bags,
bags and even garbage bags. Though searchers have developed low cost thermal thermometers, anti-micro-
it sounds funny, some doctors in ru- face shields for doctors and health bial vinyl flooring, curtains, sanitizer
ral areas have created an artificial wall workers by using transparent plas- bottles, cleaning equipment, food
between them and patients using tic and foam sheets that are readily packaging, ventilator parts etc.
The Economic Times POLYMERS | April-May 2020
thin transparent plastic sheet (poly- available. 3D plastic printing tech- Though the above innovations
ethylene), during routine checkups nology has also come to the rescue. and applications are not a direct
so as to avoid direct contact and any Amidst the shortage of ventilators, treatment of the disease, they have
chances infection. researchers have also developed a 3D proved to play a decisive role in con-
Smart helmets, to be worn by printed four way plastic splitter, so tainment of the disease. Haphazard
police officials, have been developed. that one ventilator can be used for usages of plastic along with poor lit-
tering habits have made people think
that the use of plastics should be
HAPHAZARD USAGES OF PLASTIC ALONG WITH banned. However, the present situa-
POOR LITTERING HABITS HAVE MADE PEOPLE tion makes us introspect and rethink
THINK THAT THE USE OF PLASTICS SHOULD BE that we have a choice of making ju-
BANNED. HOWEVER, THE PRESENT SITUATION dicious use of this gifted material.
MAKES US INTROSPECT AND RETHINK THAT WE
HAVE A CHOICE OF MAKING JUDICIOUS USE OF All images courtesy of author. The author
THIS GIFTED MATERIAL. is Professor, School of Polymer Engineering,
MIT World Peace University, Pune

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