Biomedical Waste Management in India-A Review

Abstract

Biomedical waste is any kind of waste either solid or liquid containing infectious, potentially infectiousmaterials of medical, laboratory or research origin from activities such as diagnosis, prevention & treatmentof diseases. Bio-medical waste has a higher potential of infection and injury to the healthcare worker, patientand the surrounding community. It consists of human anatomical waste, animal waste, microbiology &biotechnology waste, waste sharps, discarded medicines & cytotoxic drugs, soiled waste, liquid waste,incineration ash & chemical wastes. Common generators of biomedical waste include hospitals, clinics,medical & veterinary colleges, blood banks, mortuaries, autopsy centers, biotechnology institutions, researchlaboratories, home health care & funeral homes. Hazardous chemicals & radioactive waste though noninfectious require proper disposal. World Health Organization states that 10% of hospital waste are infectious& 5% are non-infectious but hazardous waste. World Health Organisation has classified medical waste into8 categories which include general, pathological, radioactive, chemical, infectious, sharps, pharmaceuticals& pressurized wastes. In India, Biomedical waste (Management & Handling) Rules 1998 along with furtheramendments regulate biomedical waste management. It consists of 6 schedules which includes Categoryof Biomedical waste, Colour coding & type of container, Label for Biomedical waste containers or bagswhich should be non-washable & prominently visible, Label for transport of Biomedical waste containers orbags, Standard for treatment & disposal, Schedule for waste treatment facilities like Incinerator, Autoclave,Microwave System. Operating Standards like combustion efficiency & Emission Standards are defined.The present review article focused on basic issues as definition, categories, problems relating to biomedicalwaste and procedure of handling and disposal method of Biomedical Waste Management.