Data on the Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Quantity, Quality and Management of Solid Waste in Babol Hospitals

Abstract

Medical waste is about 1-2 % of urban waste, which is very important in terms of health. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of the covid-19 epidemic on the quantity, quality and management of hospital waste data (infectious, common, sharp objects, and chemical waste) in the two periods before and during the covid-19 epidemic in Babol hospitals. In this regard, all 6 government hospitals were selected and investigated. Data were collected by the researcher using the standard checklist of the environmental and labor health center of the ministry of health. finally, the obtained data were analyzed using excel. The total solid waste produced by the studied hospitals before covid-19 pandemic was 3019.9 kg/day, of which 51.7 % was ordinary waste, 43.25 % was infectious waste, 3.11 % was chemical waste, and 1.93 % was sharp pointed waste. The total solid waste produced in 2021 was 3053.2 kg/day, of which 35 % was ordinary waste, 59.31 % was infectious waste, 3.35 % was dangerous chemical medical waste and 2.3 % was sharp pointed waste. Given the large amount and the danger of infectious waste in the hospital, careful and continuous monitoring of the management of such waste will be necessary to ensure, maintain and increase the level of health of the personnel, patients and all those referring to hospitals.• This study investigates the impact of the outbreak of covid-19 on quantity, quality and also it shows the types of medical waste (infectious, normal, sharp and chemical) in three consecutive years before and after the corona epidemic.• The impact of the spread of Covid-19 on the management of all types of medical waste has been investigated in this study.• The results of this study can be used to improve the management of waste production practices in hospitals, medical clinics and other similar centers.