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Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste includes any waste containing infectious or potentially infectious materials generated during diagnosis, treatment, and immunization of humans and animals. It exists in both solid and liquid forms and includes items such as needles, tissues, used bandages, and liquid waste from infected areas. Exposure to hazardous biomedical waste can transmit diseases like HIV and hepatitis and harm the health of doctors, nurses, and sanitation workers. Proper handling, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste is necessary to prevent risks to public health and the environment.

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44 views2 pages

Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste includes any waste containing infectious or potentially infectious materials generated during diagnosis, treatment, and immunization of humans and animals. It exists in both solid and liquid forms and includes items such as needles, tissues, used bandages, and liquid waste from infected areas. Exposure to hazardous biomedical waste can transmit diseases like HIV and hepatitis and harm the health of doctors, nurses, and sanitation workers. Proper handling, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste is necessary to prevent risks to public health and the environment.

Uploaded by

anshul0714
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste is any waste containing infectious or potentially infectious


materials. These wastes are generated during the diagnosis, treatment, and
immunization of humans and animals.

Biomedical wastes can be in both solid and liquid forms. Examples of biomedical
wastes include:

 Waste sharps such as needles, lancets, syringes, scalpels, and broken glass
 Human tissues or identifiable body parts (as a result of amputation)
 Animal tissues and waste from veterinary hospitals
 Used bandage, dressings, gloves, and other medical supplies
 Liquid waste from infected areas
 Laboratory wastes
Biomedical wastes are distinct from regular garbage and require particular disposal
and treatment.

Types of Biomedical Waste


The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized biomedical
waste into eight categories. They are:

1. Infectious Waste – Any biomedical waste that is infectious or


contaminated.
2. Sharps – Sharps objects like needles, scalpels, broken glass, and
razors.
3. Pathological Waste – Body parts of humans or animals, including
tissues, fluids, or blood.
4. Pharmaceutical Waste – Unused drugs, medicine, or creams that
are expiring.
5. Genotoxic Waste – Toxic drugs and hazardous toxic waste
6. Radioactive Waste – Any waste containing potentially radioactive
materials
7. Chemical Waste – Liquid waste from machines, batteries, and
disinfectants is chemical.
8. General/Other Waste – All other non-hazardous waste.

Effects of Biomedical Waste


Exposure to hazardous biomedical waste can cause disease or injury to human
health. HIV, hepatitis B, and C are the three most commonly spread viruses
worldwide due to improper treatment of medical wastes. They are transmitted
through injuries from contaminated syringes and needles.

Doctors, nurses, and sanitation workers are amongst the most vulnerable to the
harmful effects of biomedical waste. The various technologies that can be used for
treatment include:

 Incineration
 Chemical Disinfection
 Wet Thermal Treatment
 Microwave Irradiation
 Land Disposal
 Inertization

Disposal of Biomedical Waste


The disposal and management of biomedical waste involve systematic handling,
treatment, and disposal to prevent environmental and public health risks. Biomedical
waste, generated from healthcare activities, includes infectious, hazardous, and
radioactive materials.

Proper segregation, collection, and storage are crucial. Treatment methods like
autoclaving, microwaving, or incineration render the waste non-infectious. The
treated waste is then safely disposed of in designated landfills or through sanitary
landfilling.

Stringent regulations and guidelines govern biomedical waste management to


minimize its impact on ecosystems and human health, emphasizing the importance
of adherence to environmentally sustainable practices in the healthcare sector.

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