16-10-2012, 11:20 AM
BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT-ITS SOURCES, EFFECTS AND DISPOSAL MEASURES
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ABSTRACT
The case study has been made on bio-medical waste management and the strategy to minimize the threat to human beings and environment. The quality and quantity of the waste are estimated in order to identify appropriate and implemental strategy for safe disposal of the waste. The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the existing knowledge regarding the various sources, effects and suggest suitable disposal techniques for the bio-medical waste generated.
Medical waste has become the health hazard in many countries, including India. This waste, which is carelessly disposed by Health Care Establishments and Research Institutions, can spread dreaded diseases like hepatitis and AIDS among the people who handle it and also among the general public. It also causes land, air and water pollution. The effects and its control measures are studied in this paper.
This paper gives information for the successful management of the medical waste. It gives various methodology, standards and requirements for the safe disposal of the waste. Rules and regulations governing the disposal of these wastes are identified.
If we are practicing above, which is considered as role model and to suggest a comprehensive medical waste management strategy and system.
INTRODUCTION:
Biomedical wastes are defined as waste that is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, or in research activities pertaining thereto, or in the production of biological.
These waste are produced by Health Care Establishments like hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dental institutes veterinary facilities, medical laboratories, animal houses, research institutions, pathology labs and blood bank.
QUANTUM OF WASTE THAT IS GENERATED BY A HOSPITAL
The quantum of waste that is generated in India is estimated to be 1-2 kg per bed per day in a hospital and 600 gm per day per bed in a general practioner’s clinic. e.g. a 100 bedded hospital will generate 100 – 200 kgs of hospital waste/day. It is estimated that only 5 – 10% of this comprises of hazardous/infectious waste (5 – 10kgs/day)
THE POLLUTION, WHICH IS CAUSED DUE TO IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE:
The improper management of bio-medical waste causes serious environmental problems in terms of air, water and land pollution. The nature of pollutants can be classified into biological, chemical and radioactive. The radioactive waste generated as part of bio-medical waste is covered under the Atomic Act. Environment problems can arise due to the mere generation of bio-medical waste and from the process of handling, treatment and disposal. Although pollution cannot be mitigated completely, it can be reduced to a large extent. This section deals with causes, hazards and steps to minimize the hazard.
AIR POLLUTION:
Air pollution can be caused in both indoors and outdoors. Biomedical waste that generates air pollution is of three types - Biological, Chemical and radioactive.
Indoor air pollution: Pathogens present in the waste can enter and remain in the air in an institution for a long period in the form of spores or as pathogens itself. This can result in Hospital Acquired Infections (Nosocomial infections) or Occupational Health Hazards. The patients and their attendants also have a chance of contracting infections caused due to pathogens or spores, which are air borne. However, there are very limited statistics available in this field. This is an area, which requires research.
Indoor air pollution due to biologicals can be reduced by covering the waste properly, routing the waste in such a way that shortest distance is used and sensitive areas are avoided. Segregation of waste, pretreatment at source etc., can also reduce this problem to a great extent. Sterilizing the rooms will also help in checking the indoor air pollution due to biologicals.
WATER POLLUTION:
Bio-medical waste can cause water pollution. If the waste is dumped in low-lying areas, or into lakes and water bodies, can cause severe water pollution. The liquid waste generated when let into sewers can also lead to water pollution if not treated. Certain treatment or disposal options can also cause water pollution. Water pollution can either be caused due to biologicals, chemicals or radioactive substances.
The standards for effluent release from institutions should be maintained. Proper waste management practices will reduce the water pollution considerably. Incinerators should be sited away from water bodies. Care should be taken to have proper liners in landfills to avoid leachate from entering water bodies.
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENT:
Radioactive waste in liquid form can come from chemical or biological research, from body organ imaging, from decontamination of radioactive spills, from patients urine and from scintillation liquids.
Very low-level liquid radioactive waste is usually handled by direct dispersal in the sewer system.
LAND POLLUTION:
The final disposal of all bio-medical waste is to the land. Even liquid effluent after treatment is spread on land. Hence, pollution caused to land is inevitable. However, it can be minimized to a large extent through proper treatment. Landfilling is also harmful to a limited extent. Soil pollution from bio-medical waste is caused due to infectious waste, discarded medicines, chemicals used in treatment and ash and other waste generated during treatment processes. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury etc., which are present in the waste will get absorbed by plants and can then enter the food chain. Nitrates and phosphates present in leachates from landfills are also pollutants. Excessive amounts of trace nutrient elements and other elements including heavy metals in soil are harmful to crops and are also harmful to animals and human beings.
HEALTH HAZARDS ACCORDING TO WHO
According to the WHO, the global life expectancy is increasing year after year. However, deaths due to infectious disease are increasing. A study conducted by the WHO in 1996, reveals that more than 50,000 people die everyday from infectious diseases. One of the causes for the increase in infectious diseases is improper waste management. Blood, body fluids and body secreations, which are constituents of bio-medical waste, harbour most of the viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause infection. This passes via a number of human contacts, all of which are potential ‘recipients’ of the infection. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses spearhead an extensive list of infections and diseases documented to have spread through bio-medical waste. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, tetanus, whooping cough etc., are other common diseases spread due to improper waste management.
CONCLUSION:
This study gives details about the source, effects and prevention of hazardous biomedical waste. This indicates that improving medical waste handling and disposal methods is a necessity. The majorities of health care workers have only a understanding of health and do not perceive handling or disposal of medical waste as a hazard. There is no legal bindings, and hence, motivation to initiate better practices. There is a need of a national medical waste management policy and national waste disposal and management guidelines.
Therefore proper identification and segregation of hazardous hospital waste will reduce the health risks involved by a great sum. A safe and sensible technology for the treatment of infectious waste must take into consideration all the difficulties, from collection to transportation and disposal.