Disposal of Bio-medical Waste- a Problem in India

India is facing a massive problem of bio-medical waste disposal. Several hospitals in India have a laid back approach towards biomedical waste management. They are directly disposing off or burning used needles, syringes, anatomical human waste, contaminated bandages, cotton gauzes and expired medicines.

Generally all this medical waste is collected in a bin and once this bin is filled then it is transferred to the dumping site. In most cases, this dumping is done on open grounds and burnt off. Despite having their own incinerators several hospitals were found dumping and burning such waste on open grounds.

Over Half of Bio-medical Waste Disposed With Municipal Garbage
A recent study evaluating the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has found that almost 50% of biomedical waste is being disposed off with municipal garbage.

According to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, hospitals should collect waste such as human body waste and waste from lab cultures in yellow plastic bags and wastes like discarded needles and syringes in red plastic bags. This segregation and proper disposal of this waste is essential to control environmental pollution because of bio-medical waste.

Source-Medindia

Bio-medical Waste Poses Grave Danger to Environment
The Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) conducted a workshop to address the growing issue of bio-medical waste as it poses a grave danger to the environment.

Southern Indian State to Set Up Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Plants
Tamil Nadu, in southern India, is to set up common bio medical waste treatment plants.

Mumbai Doctors Grumble About Stiff Fines for Bio-medical Waste
Doctors in the Indian commercial metropolis of Mumbai protest the recent move by the city authorities to levy stiff fines for uncleared bio-medical waste.