Personal protective equipment (PPE) is drifting off a coral reef near the Philippine capital, Manila. According to an estimate by the Asian Development Bank, during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, the city could have produced up to 280 tons of additional medical waste per day.
Environmental groups warn that the plastic inside face masks is degrading and consumed by marine wildlife. They are urging the Philippine government to improve its handling of medical waste, to prevent further pollution of the seas.
The BBC’s Howard Johnson has joined the divers from the Anilao Dive Center, a group of the United Nations Environment Program Green Fins that promotes sustainable marine tourism in Southeast Asia.
Video produced by Howard Johnson and Verma Simonet. Camera overtime work: Marc Badiola and Jojo de Luntock.
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