Infectious Waste Management in Thailand

Abstract

Public health facilities and healthcare businesses are growing in tandem with increases in population and demand. Consequently, the amount of waste from operating a health service is increasing as well. As the amount of infectious waste has been steadily increasing, it is essential to establish an appropriate and efficient collection and treatment system to handle such waste. Infectious waste management in Thailand, however, still faces many challenges. When inappropriately managed, this may become a serious public health threat causing outbreaks of diseases that adversely impact human health and the environment. Waste generated by the public health service sector requires specific types of treatment to prevent environmental and health impacts from all stages of the waste management lifecycle. This chapter looks in depth at the infectious waste situation and management including a case study undertaken by the author conducted in Bangkok City (Thailand).