The disposal of waste has become a huge problem due to lack of awareness about scientific and technological information, said State President Dr H S Niranjan Aradhya of the Rajya Vijnana Parishat.

Speaking after the inauguration of the workshop on management of medical waste, organised in Tumkur for district doctors and health workers, by the Chennai-based CPR Environment Education Centre, he suggested that medical waste be segregated from ordinary waste during the time of disposal.

In our culture, there is no concept of waste; it is always transformed into something useful. In such a country it is ironic that there are problems related to waste disposal, said Mr Aradhya. Between 80 and 120 new types of infections are spreading because the disposal of medical waste is not well managed, he said, adding that to keep this problem at bay, more awareness must be created among health officials, health workers, patients and their relatives.

Dr S K Susaral, director (Southern section) of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, said that the same importance that is regarded to treating diseases should also be given to the disposal of medical waste.

Assistant director (South) of the Ministry of Forests and Environment Dr U Sridharan, Indian Medical Association (Tumkur Unit) secretary Dr S Paramesh, Head of the biodiversity department of CPR Dr T Sundaramurthy, M S Ramaiah college principal Prof S Shivakumar, assistant professor Dr K Lalita, D C Sharma of the Ramki Environmental Technical Organisation and State Pollution Control Board (Tumkur unit) assistant environmental engineer G S Manjunath also spoke .