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Mexico faces infectious waste disposal problem amid pandemic

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Posted at 5:24 PM, May 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-18 18:24:49-04

Mountains of infectious waste are piling up and being illegally dumped in Mexico, creating yet another grisly problem amid the coronavirus pandemic. Teetering piles of discarded coffins have piled up outside Mexico City's overworked crematoriums; and on Monday, authorities announced they had found 3.5 tons of hospital waste dumped in the woods on the outskirts of Mexico City, and  6,000 cubic yards (meters) of ghoulish medical waster piled ceiling-high at a clandestine warehouse, leaking out of over-crammed trailers and buildings. Environmental authorities said the unscrupulous, unlicensed operators were to blame. They said the waste would have to be incinerated because it represents a health risk.