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Infectious waste may contain any of a great variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogens in
infectious waste may enter the human body by a number of routes: through a puncture, abrasion,
or cut in the skin; through the mucous membranes; by inhalation; by ingestion. The body fluids
are the usual vehicles of transmission.
There is particular concern about infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
hepatitis viruses B and C, for which there is strong evidence of transmission via health-care waste.
These viruses are generally transmitted through injuries from syringe needles contaminated by
human blood.
✔ Needles,
✔ Knives,
✔ Infusion sets,
✔ Saws,
Broken glass, and nails
4.PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE:
It includes expired, unused, spilt, and contaminated
✔ Pharmaceutical products,
✔ Drugs,
WASTE MINIMIZATION
• May be encouraged by the implementation of certain policies and practices, including
the following:
• Source reduction: measures such as purchasing restrictions to ensure the selection of
methods or supplies generate less hazardous waste.
• Recyclable products: use of materials that may be recycled, either on-site or off-site.
• Good management and control practices: apply particularly to the purchase and use of
chemicals and pharmaceuticals
RECYCLING AND REUSE
Medical equipments used in a health-care establishment may be reused provided that they
are designed for that purpose and will withstand the sterilization process. E.g. scalpels
and hypodermic needles, syringes, glass bottles.
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND TRANSPORTATION
• Appropriate handling, storage, transportation, and treatment of waste by type reduces
costs and does much to protects public health.
The best way to manage safe and cost-effective waste disposal is through segregation of
wastes into "contaminated" and "general" wastes.
• The general waste can be disposed of cost-effectively through normal means and taken
to landfill, and contaminated waste can be handled and treated safely before disposal in
landfill.
• If a product has become soiled with blood or other body fluids, it's treated as
'contaminated waste', and either incinerated or treated chemically and landfilled as
general waste
Minor sources
Small health-care establishments
- Physicians' offices - Dental clinics
- Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
Specialized health-care establishments and institutions with low waste generation
- Convalescent nursing homes
-Psychiatric hospitals
- Disabled persons' institutions
● While minor and scattered sources may produce some health-care waste in categories
similar to hospital waste, their composition will be different.
• For example:
Biomedical waste treatment refers to the processes to eradicate the deleterious effects of
the waste. There are several treatment options which maximize safety during handling and
disposal of the waste. It also minimizes environmental hazards. Incineration, Autoclaving,
irradiation and chemical treatments are the most common methods used for treatment and
decontamination of biomedical waste.
Incineration
It is a treatment process used to convert pathological and pharmaceutical waste into ash,
flue gases and heat. Operating temperature for incineration should be in the range of 800-
1400oC. It decreases the mass of waste by 90-95% and thus reduces adverse effects on the
environment .
Autoclaving
It is a process of steam sterilization and is the most common alternative to incineration.
Autoclaving requires a temperature of 121oC and pressure of about 15 pounds per square
inch (psi) for 20-30 minutes.This treatment is applied to inactivate the infectious agents and
to sterilize the equipment used in medical services. It is less costly and carries no
documented health impacts
Chemical treatment
This treatment is often used to decontaminate liquid waste, so that it can be disposed off
locally. It makes use of several techniques such as oxidation, reduction, precipitation and pH
neutralization to convert waste into less hazardous substances. Chlorine, sodium hydroxide
or calcium oxide can be used according to the nature of waste .
Irradiation
These systems are presently being used in waste treatment operations which include
gamma, electron-beam, ultraviolet and X-rays. Irradiation sterilizes waste in an enclosed
chamber by exposing it to a radioactive cobalt-60 which gives out gamma rays that are
lethal to micro-organisms. It is very expensive as compared to other methods and
precautions must be taken to protect workers from harmful effects of radiations such as
cancer, radiation sickness or even death.
14.Summarize infection and infection agents in bio medical waste management.
● All needles, scalpels, razor blades and any other sharp objects are generally referred to as
Sharps. How they have been used will determine which type of medical waste they are
categorised as & generally infectious, or
● Any body parts, human tissue or bodily fluid & as well as swabs and cultures - is typically
referred to as anatomical or This is generally known as biohazard waste.
● The vast majority of medicines can be categorised into general pharmaceutical or medical
waste & unless they are cytotoxic or cytostatic.
● Gloves, aprons, gowns, and used plastic packaging (like empty syringes and IVs), bandages
and gauzes will be hazardous/offensive waste & if the patient isn't infected with any
disease (also known as trace-chemotherapeutic waste), or it will be designated infectious
waste if there is a risk of contamination.
Definition, facts,
Healthcare sources Corresponding hazards
and properties
•