Deputy Commissioner T Venkatesh has stressed on the need for scientific disposal of biomedical wastes to curb the spread of infectious diseases.
He was speaking after inaugurating an awareness workshop on maintenance of biomedical and solid waste organised by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Udupi, in association with Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Ayurveda College, Kutpadi.
The deputy commissioner said biomedical waste poses hazard due to two principal reasons - infectivity and toxicity. “The increasing production of biomedical waste is a matter of concern. The citizens should be very cautious, especially with the disposal of biomedical waste. The disposal of solid waste is a big challenge for civilised society. Land is not enough to set up waste disposal units, which is posing a threat as the residents of the areas oppose projects as they have to deal with the foul smell and unhygienic conditions in the surrounding,” he explained.
Lauding the effective implementation of solid waste management by Karkala Town Municipal Council limits, the DC added that the solid waste management unit in Karkala comprises of a vermicompost unit. “The residents are strictly warned to undertake segregation of wet and dry waste at source-level. The wet wastes are used for the vermicompost. In addition, there are 750 to 800 clinics and nursing homes in the district.
Agencies are set up to collect the biomedical wastes from all government and private hospitals. The reckless dumping of bio-medical wastes is offence,” he added.
‘Not bothered’
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Mangaluru zonal senior environment officer Rajashekhar Puranik lamented that the waste management is the last priority of both households and industries.
“There is no awareness about the disposal of biomedical wastes. According to a general estimate, the biomedical waste generated per capita per bed is 500 to 1500 grams. The hospitals, however, misguide the concerned authorities and show not beyond 50 to 100 grams of biomedical waste generated per capita per bed. The log book should be compulsorily maintained, which is missing in the hospitals,” he stated.
He said biomedical waste is appropriately segregated and maintained. “The wastes generated in the laboratories and operation theatres are, however, not treated before releasing it into the underground drainages. Segregation refers to the basic separation of different categories of waste generated at source and thereby reducing the risks as well as cost of handling and disposal. Segregation is the most crucial step in biomedical waste management. Effective segregation alone can ensure effective biomedical waste management,” the officer stressed.
“Biomedical waste is often incinerated. An efficient incinerator will destroy pathogens and sharps. Source materials are not recognisable in the resulting ash. An autoclave may also be used to treat biomedical waste. An autoclave uses steam and pressure to sterilise the waste or reduce its microbiological load to a level at which it may be safely disposed of.
The hospital can also use stirrers to agitate the waste which should be in contact with the chemical solution for at least eight hours. Sodium hypochlorite, dissolved chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, dry inorganic chemical and ozone are examples of such chemicals,” the officer suggested.
He reminded that the hospitals are strictly warned to take up effective disposal of biomedical wastes. “Proper labelling of bins should be done at source level to dispose the biomedical wastes. In addition, recycling of waste is essential, especially e-waste that can be reused, following the recycling. There are innovations made to recycle the wastes like fly ashes and molasses,” he said.
DH News Service
Published 06 October 2016, 18:36 IST