Biomedical Waste Management

Syllabus: GS3/Environment Pollution and Degradation

Context

• Mishandling of biomedical waste still poses risks, particularly in resource-limited settings. 

Biomedical Waste

• It refers to any waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals, or in related research activities. 
• This waste is often contaminated with potentially infectious materials and can pose a significant risk to public health and the environment if not managed properly.
• Bio Medical waste consists of:
  • Human anatomical waste like tissues, organs and body parts;
  • Animal wastes generated during research from veterinary hospitals;
  • Microbiology and biotechnology wastes;
  • Waste sharps like hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels and broken glass;
  • Discarded medicines and cytotoxic drugs;
  • Soiled waste such as dressing, bandages, plaster casts, material contaminated with blood, tubes and catheters;
  • Liquid waste from any of the infected areas;
  • Incineration ash and other chemical wastes.
• Concerns: 
  • Biomedical waste can carry various health risks, including the transmission of diseases like HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. 
  • If not disposed of properly, it can contribute to environmental contamination.

Biomedical Waste Management

• It involves collection, segregation, treatment, and disposal.
  • Autoclaving: Sterilizing the waste using steam and pressure.
  • Incineration: Burning the waste at high temperatures.
  • Chemical disinfection: Using chemicals to neutralize pathogens.
  • Land disposal: For non-hazardous waste after proper treatment.

Waste Management in India

• India generates around 700 Tonne per day (TPD) of biomedical waste approximately and about 640 TPD is treated.
• India has a combined treatment capacity of 1,590 TPD. 
• Despite having a surplus capacity, 20 states are still using captive treatment measures and deep pit burials for disposal.

The Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016

• It provides a framework for the management of biomedical waste (BMW) generated from healthcare facilities and other related sources. 

Key Provisions:

• Segregation and Storage: BMW must be segregated at the point of generation into different categories (e.g., infectious, hazardous, non-hazardous, etc.).
  • Waste should be stored in color-coded bins and containers, as per the prescribed categories.
• Categories of Biomedical Waste: It defines seven categories of biomedical waste (e.g., human tissues, sharps, discarded medicines, body fluids, and microbiological waste) and specify color coding for disposal:
  • Yellow: Infectious waste (e.g., contaminated items, body parts).
  • Red: Contaminated plastic items.
  • Blue: Glassware (e.g., bottles, vials).
  • White: Sharps (e.g., needles, scalpels).
  • Black: General waste (e.g., paper, plastic).
• Treatment and Disposal: Waste disposal should be done in compliance with the guidelines set by the rules, ensuring that it does not pose harm to public health or the environment.
• Authorization and Record-Keeping: All healthcare facilities must obtain authorization from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for handling and disposing of biomedical waste.
  • Proper record-keeping of the quantity, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste is required.
• Waste Disposal by Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTF): Healthcare establishments can send their biomedical waste to a Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) for treatment and disposal.
• Key Amendments (2021): The rules introduced an extended timeline for compliance with waste management norms.

Way Ahead

• India’s biomedical waste management market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7-8%. 
• The quantum of waste generated is expected to be troublesome if the gaps and leakages are not managed. 
• All SPCBs need to conduct the gap analysis to estimate the leakages and use their discretion, so newer CBWTFs can be constructed and their operational radius can be determined.  
• All stakeholders from the user to the occupier to the processors need to be tracked so any premeditated leakages can be avoided. 

Source: TH