"Currently, we are conducting research on wastewater entering water treatment plants at city facilities, to see whether there will also be releases in the form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus," said Akbar Hanif Dawam Abdullah, Researcher at the Clean Technology Research Workshop (LPTB) LIPI, when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday.
Dawam added it is not only solid waste, such as used masks, that have the potential to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but also water waste.
Researchers at LIPI identified the potential virus that causes COVID-19 in household liquid waste entering wastewater treatment plants (IPAL).
"We also sampling to find out how water coming out of houses looks like, and whether they can carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus or not," he further added.
Dawam stressed there is potential for the release of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in liquid waste.
Therefore, it is important to conduct significant research on the potential presence of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in wastewater entering the treatment plant.
"It needs serious research," he said.
The research project, which began in 2021, was conducted in Bandung, West Java, and is scheduled to be completed in the same year.
Related news: LIPI researcher turns mask waste into economically valuable product
Related news: LIPI develops ventilator to support COVID-19 efforts
Related news: University students asked to join fight against COVID-19
Translator: Martha H, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
