Biomedical Waste Management

Biomedical Waste Management

Introduction

A vast amount of waste is generated in the process of health-care, research, testing, or related procedures on human beings or animals conducted in hospitals, clinics, labs, or similar establishments. This waste is called biomedical waste.

Due to the presence of a higher concentration of infec-tious and other such hazardous substances, this form of waste requires special attention for its safe disposal. If the waste finds its way back to the community, the results would be disastrous to say the least. It can act as a source of infection to residents or visitors of hospitals, and the chemicals contained in the waste may seep into the surrounding soil and contaminate wells and tanks, thereby polluting them.

Most governments in the world have laws and guidelines ensuring that institutions where biomedical waste is generated take appropriate measures for the safe disposal of such waste. An ordinance to this effect was promulgated in India in 1998 under which the institutes where such waste is generated have been held legally responsible for the safe disposal of biomedical waste.