Medical waste generation and removal is an important aspect of healthcare. Medical facilities like hospitals, dental clinics, treatment centers, and diagnostic and research laboratories are the major sources of medical waste. Approximately six million tons of medical waste is generated every year, out of which 85% is non-hazardous and 15% hazardous. Adequate disposal of this waste is requisite for safeguarding the community and the environment. In this blog, we will cover medical waste disposal and management practices and legal considerations in this regard that can be helpful in maintaining the intricate balance between environmental safety and healthcare efficacy.
Biomedical Waste Disposal
Biomedical waste (BMW) includes waste material generated as a result of research, diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals. According to Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016, BMW is classified into these categories:
Human anatomical waste
Animal waste
Microbiological waste
Bioengineering waste
Sharps waste
Genotoxic waste
Solid waste
Liquid waste
Chemical waste
Contaminated waste
Incinerator Ash
The main steps of medical waste disposal include:
Segregation of waste into different components and safe storage in suitable containers.
Waste disposal and movement to landfill.
Treatment of biomedical waste.
Final destruction of BMW.
Where to Dispose of Medical Waste?
While disposing of hazardous medical waste, it is important to follow the Resource Conversion and Energy Act, medical waste disposal guidelines provided by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and OSHA regulations. The selection of medical waste disposal sites often depends on the following:
Waste toxicity level
Medical waste disposal laws
Some drop-off sites where medical waste reaches after leaving a healthcare facility are as follows:
Drop Off Facilities:
Drop-off sites ease the process of medical waste disposal. Several sites are available for the disposal of different types of waste, from sharps and needles to pharmaceutical waste. These sites usually accept small amounts of regulated waste.
Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF)
Medical waste that is not accepted at drop-off sites is disposed of at a treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF). Usually, licensed companies carry hazardous waste to these sites as it is dangerous for the community and the environment.
Medical Waste Disposal Methods
Medical waste can be hazardous or non-hazardous. Different methods dispose of both types of medical waste. The volume of waste is an important determinant of medical waste disposal methods. While disposing of medical waste, it is essential to ensure the waste does not harm humans, animals, or the environment. Some popular methods for disposing of medical waste are listed below:
Incineration:
Incineration involves heating the medical waste at 2000ºF in specially designed incinerators. The combustion reduces the waste volume and turns it into ashes. The residue is then disposed of in landfills. Types of medical waste that are incinerated include:
Pharmaceutical waste
Pathological waste
Chemotherapy waste
Sharps waste
Advantages: Incineration offers many benefits, such as:
Reducing waste volume.
Reducing the risk of infection by killing pathogens.
Handling different types of wastes, from sharps and needles to pharmaceutical drugs.
Autoclaving:
Autoclaving includes sterilization with steam under high pressure. Medical waste is heated at 250ºF and 15 psi atmospheric pressure for 30-60 minutes to get rid of microbes. The residue waste is disposed of in landfills. Autoclaving is used for disposing of:
Sharps waste such as needles and syringes.
Infectious waste.
Pathological waste.
Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste.
Advantages: The benefits of autoclaving include:
Effective killing of microbes.
Low environmental impact.
Versatility of handling different waste types.
Disinfection
Disinfection involves using chemicals like chlorine to disinfect medical waste material. Chemical disinfection is used for:
Infectious waste.
Laboratory waste.
Chemical and liquid waste.
Advantages: Chemical disinfection poses numerous benefits, including:
Reduction of pathogens.
Versatility of handling different waste types.
Low energy consumption compared to autoclaving and incineration.
Microwaving:
Microwaving reduces medical waste to shreds by using moist heat and steam produced by high-energy microwaves. The waste is shredded, mixed with water, and then heated to neutralize all biological elements. It is used for disposing of:
Infectious waste.
Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste.
Advantages: Some benefits of microwaving include reduction of pathogens and suitability for different types of wastes.
Waste to Energy Conversion
Waste-to-energy conversion (WTE) involves processing medical waste into energy through combustion or anaerobic digestion. The energy produced through biowaste is used as clean fuel either in the same plant or for commercial purposes. In this way, biomedical waste is converted into renewable thermal energy or electricity. The WTE conversion processes the following types of medical waste into energy:
Infectious waste.
Pathological waste.
Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste.
Advantages: Waste-to-energy conversion process:
Reduces the amount of waste entering into landfills.
Creates enough energy to meet up to 50% of the plant’s needs.
Challenges in Medical Waste Disposal
Ensuring efficient and safe medical waste disposal in healthcare facilities is important. However, numerous factors impede the secure disposal of medical waste.
Lack of Infrastructure:
Some regions lack adequate infrastructure for safe medical waste disposal, leading to environmental pollution.
Inadequate Awareness:
A lack of understanding among healthcare workers and the general public regarding medical waste segregation can result in contamination.
Lack of Resources:
Medical waste disposal often requires specialized equipment, trained personnel, and proper facilities, which might be unavailable in all medical settings.
Strategies for Effective Medical Waste Disposal
Safe and effective medical waste disposal requires the implementation of sustainable practices. Some key strategies in this regard are as follows:
Segregation of Waste:
Appropriate segregation of waste at source is important. Different types of containers should be used for disposing of different types of waste to avoid cross-contamination.
On-Site Treatment:
Healthcare facilities should install equipment like autoclaves and microwaves for on-site treatment of infectious medical waste.
Waste-To-Energy Conversion:
Specialized plants for converting BMW into energy should be established. This approach is beneficial for the environment and helps us in saving energy.
Reusable Equipment:
Medical facilities should opt for reusable equipment to reduce the generation of single-use waste.
Recycling:
Plastic and metals from medical waste should be recycled to reduce medical waste generation and environmental pollution caused by it.
Medical Waste Management Services
In the United States, there is a well-established framework to regulate effective medical waste disposal and management. In addition, numerous companies offer comprehensive waste management solutions to healthcare facilities, and these companies follow the regulations enforced by federal, state, and regional governments. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide federal guidelines for medical waste disposal. Compliance with these regulations enables healthcare settings to bypass penalties and ensure the safety of the environment, staff, and community.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, appropriate medical waste disposal is essential for protecting the community from infections and reducing environmental pollution. Medical waste generated at healthcare settings, hazardous or non-hazardous, is carried to drop-off sites or treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDF). Then, depending on waste type, different methods are used for disposing of medical waste These methods include incineration, autoclaving, microwaving, chemical disinfection, and waste-to-energy conversion. However, there are several challenges in efficient medical waste disposal which can be overcome by employing strategies like appropriate waste segregation, on-site treatment, using reusable equipment, and recycling.
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