Face Mask Consumption and Medical Waste Generation During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: Challenges and Problems

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a devastating pandemic scenario in the world. mortality rate increased and new socio-economic challenges are emerging. Millions gloves, gowns, face masks, shields used daily to prevent airborne transmission facilitate treatment COVID-19. Mismanagement these wastes can lead concerns due their contamination potential. A comprehensive plan improve management medical every country requires awareness current status solid waste. Objectives: study aimed calculate estimate consumption masks waste generation during Iran. Also, performance different departments future discussed. Methods: were calculated based on population data, percentage urban population, mask acceptance rate, number needed per person day, total confirmed cases, (kg/bed/day). Results: Iran is estimated at 46576000 pieces day. three provinces Tehran (9,560,000 pieces), Khorasan Razavi (3,825,600 Isfahan (3,523,200 pieces) have highest respectively. Increasing cases rate. Until April 3, 2021, more than 1,920,394 been Iran, calculations show that about 7,585.56 tons Conclusions: highly infectious problematic disease. continuous increase as result, emerged field management. These emerging managing necessitate development appropriate policies strategies.