Personal protective equipments (PPEs) for COVID-19: a product lifecycle perspective
Shubhendu Singh, Raj Pradip Khawale, Haiyong Chen, Haolong Zhang, Rahul Rai
Abstract
Recently, we are witnessing an emerging global public health crisis with the inception and outspread of the 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (2019-nCoV), causing respiratory illness termed as COVID-19. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted between people when they are in close proximity to each other. Preventive and mitigation measures are critical in the fight against COVID-19 disruptions. Personal Protective Equipment, also known as PPE, is a crucial effective measure against the virus. PPEs are the dedicated equipment or clothing worn by an individual for protection against infectious diseases. However, surging demand, low product quality standards, and disruptions in the global supply chain of PPEs amid the COVID-19 pandemic are putting the lives of public and frontline healthcare workers at risk. Hence it becomes crucial to retrospect the lifecycle of PPEs. This paper attempts to present a discussion of PPEs from the product lifecycle perspective, beginning at its conception, after that traversing through various stages of design and manufacturing, and then finally ending with end-of-life issues such as disposal and recycling. Additionally, we also critically outline things that went wrong recently in PPE supply chain management and propose possible productive measures for future pandemics of this nature.