Researchers studying Tehran, Iran found medical waste pollution may have worsened as a result of COVID-19.

• In March 2020, 10.78 million masks were disposed of per day and 21.6 million gloves were disposed of per day
• After legislation restricting the disposal of masks and gloves, average discarded facemasks per day rose to 17.4 million, while gloves fell to 3.8 million
• Wastes were often compacted in garbage trucks, causing fluid to leak that may have harbored the COVID-19 virus
• Only 47.3% of hospitals were found to be correctly collecting and sorting medical waste
• Average medical waste produced per day from hospitals increased 80-110 tons
• Infectious waste treatment at hospitals completely stopped
• Medical wastes were buried in trenches and sprayed with hydrated lime