JOIN USSafe disposal of bio-medical waste can avert disaster: RENPAP convenor
“A disaster is imminent if bio-medical waste is not disposed properly,” regional convenor of the Regional Network on Safe Pesticide Production and Information for Asia and Pacific (RENPAP) funds of the United Nations Dr S P Dua has warned.
He was speaking at a workshop on ‘Bio-Medical Waste Management’ organised by the Directorate for Health and Family Welfare, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in association with the Bengaluru-based M S Ramaiah Medical College at Abdul Nazer Saabb Rural Development Training Institute here on Tuesday.
Dua said that at least 5% of the bio-medical waste is highly dangerous. “Body parts that are infected with cancer or other diseases and some chemicals should be disposed in a scientific way. Even medicines should be disposed properly. Such wastes should be incinerated at a temperature of 1,050 degree Celsius. Otherwise, danger is a probability by all means,” he said.
Inaugurating the workshop, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep said that, “Everybody should consider bio-medical waste disposal seriously. The city has already slipped to fifth position from the first in the much-hyped Swachh Bharat mission. If we want a better position for Mysuru, we will have to concentrate on proper disposal of waste.”
Professor Dr S Pruthesh from M S Ramaiah Medical College said that a project for scientific disposal of bio-medical waste is being implemented in five states, including Karnataka. “Mysuru city has been chosen for the pilot project. The challenge before us is to perform well, become a model city and figure again in the toppers list,” he said.
Dr Chethana said that everyday India produces 484 tonnes of bio-medical waste and it runs up to 1.8 lakh tonnes per annum. “The main objective of disposal of bio-medical waste is to avoid release of dangerous gases into the environment,” she said.
Technical Advisor to state government Raju, project coordinator Dr K Lalitha, District Health Officer Dr B Basavaraju and Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner G Jagadeesha were also present.