Let's go in detail
One of the issues India is dealing with is the waste management. Let us go in detail for one aspect of it, that is the biomedical waste management. Starting up, what is biomedical waste (BMW)? Biomedical waste refers to any waste which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals in healthcare facilities. This waste, from bandages to used syringes can be infectious and dangerous if not handled properly. So, a proper biomedical waste management plan is necessary. Let us first discuss, the different types of it.
Types of Biomedical Waste
- Infectious waste: Items contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, cultures and tissues. Examples include used syringes, bandages, blood product, and swabs.
- Pharmaceutical waste: These include expired or unused medications, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical products.
- Pathological waste: This includes human tissues, organs and body parts removed during surgeries or autopsies.
- Sharps: Used needles, blades, and other sharp objects that can cause injuries.
- Chemical waste: Disinfectants, solvents, and cleaning agents used in the hospitals.
- Genotoxic waste: This includes waste that can damage genetic material such as cytotoxins and cytotoxic drugs.
Why is it Important?
- It helps to prevent infection, as improper handling can cause infectious diseases.
- Biomedical waste can contain harmful chemicals and pathogens that can contaminate soil and water if not disposed properly. Thus, it can negatively impact the environment.
- Burning of biomedical waste without proper emission controls releases pollutants, which cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Biomedical Waste Management Regulations
For a safe disposal of biomedical waste, certain regulations have been setup. Many countries have their own regulations. Let us see the important points of the regulations by India. And it is given by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
(1) The very first step is to segregate the waste properly into different colored bins.
- Yellow bin – Human anatomical waste (tissues, organs), animal anatomical waste, soiled waste (dressing, bandages, swabs), expired or discarded medicines, microbiology, biotechnology and other clinically laboratory waste, chemical waste.
- Red Bin – wastes generated from disposable items such as tubing, bottles, intravenous tubes, and sets, catheters, urine bags, syringes without needles, fixed needle syringes with their needle cut, vacutainers and gloves.
- White bin – Waste sharps including metals, needle, syringes with fixed needles, any contaminated sharp object that may cause puncture and cuts.
- Blue bin: Broken or discarded and contaminated glass including medicine vials and ampoules except those contaminated with cytotoxic waste.
Also note different states have their own guidelines as well.
(2) Once the waste is sorted out, next step is the treatment. Depending on the waste type, different methods are used. These include incineration (high temperature burning of specific waste types in specialized incinerators), autoclaving (high pressure steam sterilization), and chemical disinfection. Only authorized facilities can handle treatment and disposal.
(3) The Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBMWTFs) receive waste from multiple healthcare generators and treat it using appropriate methods.
(4) Biomedical waste management requires teamwork from all fronts. Hospitals are responsible for sorting, storing, and transporting the waste according to the rules. Next up, waste collectors and treatment facilities do their jobs, provided they are authorized to do so. Finally, the government keeps an eye on everyone so that everyone follows the plan.
By working together -hospitals, waste management companies and the government- we can build a proper biomedical waste management system. The most important thing is the execution. If properly implemented, this will create an environment which will be safe for everyone. And we would take one step further towards a better living.
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