Biomedical waste management is process of managing wastes in the healthcare settings , hospitals , clinics in a proper way without harming humans and other animals too .

2. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• DEFINITION
• SOURSES OF HEALTHCARE WASTE
• PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH BIOMEDICAL WASTE
• PROCESS OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
• CONLUSION

3. INTRODUCTION
HOSPITAL WASTE OR BIOMEDICAL WASTE REFERS TO ALL WASTE – BIOLOGICAL OR NON BIOLOGICAL
THAT IS DISCARDED AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR FURTHER USE IN THE HOSPITAL . THESE ARE THE WASTE
GENERATED IN THE HOSPITAL DURING THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS ( DIAGNOSIS OR
TREATMENT ) , IMMUNIZATION , HUMAN OR ANIMAL RESEARCH AND WASTE GENERATED IN HOSPITAL
KITCHEN , OFFICES ….
THESE WASTE HAS TO BE MANAGED BY THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT PROCESS. HOSPITAL WASTE
MANAGEMENT IS ALSO KNOWN AS “BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT ”

4. DEFINITION
BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IS DEFINED AS THE MANAGING OF HOSPITAL WASTE ; WHICH IS
GENERATED DURING THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT , OR IMMUNIZATION OF HUMAN BEINGS OR ANIMALS OR
IN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PERTAINING TO OR IN THE PRODUCTION OR TESTING ; BY THE HOSPITAL
MANAGEMENT PROCESS .

5. SOURSES OF HEALTHCARE WASTE
• GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITALS
• PRIVATE HOSPITALS
• NURSING HOMES
• PHYSICIANS OFFICES
• DENTIST OFFICES
• DISPENSERIES
• MORTURIES
• BLOOD BANK AND COLLECTION CENTER
• LABORATORIES
• RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

6. CLASSIFICATION OF HOSPITAL WASTES
ACCORDING TO WHO , HOSPITAL WASTE WASTES ARE CLASSIFIED AS –
1) GENERAL WASTES
2) PATHOLOGICAL WASTES
3) INFECTIOUS WASTES
4) SHARP WASTES
5) PHARMACEUTICAL WASTES
6) CHEMICAL WASTES
7) RADIOACTIVE WASTES
8) PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS
9) GENOTOXIC WASTES

7. 1) GENERAL WASTES
• LARGELY COMPOSED OF DOMESTIC OR HOUSEHOLD TYPE WASTE .
• THESE ARE NON- HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN BEINGS .
• EXAMPLES : KITCHEN WASTES ,
PACKAGING MATERIALS ,
PAPER , WRAPPERS ,
PLASTICS ………

8. 2) PATHOLOGICAL WASTES
• THESE ARE CONSISTS OF BODY TISSUES , BODY PARTS ,
HUMAN FOETUS, BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS .
• THESE ALSO CONTAINS THE USED SYRINGES , NEEDLES ,
AND THE TUBES .
• THESE ARE HAZARDOUS WASTE .

9. 3) INFECTIOUS WASTES
• THE WASTES WHICH CONTAINS PATHOGENS IN SUFFICIENT
CONCENTRATION OR QUALITY THAT THAT COULD CAUSE DISEASES.
• THESE ARE HAZARDOUS WASTES .
• EXAMPLE : CULTURE AND STOCKS OF INFECTIOUS AGENTS FROM
LABORATORIES, WASTES FROM SURGERY , WASTES
ORIGINATING FROM INFECTIOUS PATIENTS .

10. 4) SHARP WASTES
• WASTE MATERIALS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE PERSON
HANDLING IT, A CUT OR PUNCTURE OF SKIN .
• EXAMPLE : NEEDLES , BROKEN GLASS , SAWS , NAILS ,
BLADES , SCALPELS ………

11. 5) PHARMACEUTICAL WASTES
• THESE INCLUDES PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, DRUGS AND
CHEMICALS THAT HAVE BEEN RETURNED FROM WARDS , HAVE
BEEN SPILLED , ARE OUTDATED, OR CONTAMINATED .

12. 6) CHEMICAL WASTES
• THESE COMPRISES DISCARDED SOLID , LIQUID AND GASEOUS CHEMICALS .
• EXAMPLE : CLEANING AGENTS ,
HOUSEKEEPING PRODUCTS ,
DISINFECTING ACIDS .

13. 7) RADIOACTIVE WASTES
• THESE INCLUDES SOLID , LIQUID AND GASEOUS WASTE THAT ARE
CONTAMINATED WITH RADIONUCLIDE’S GENERATED FROM
IN-VITRO ANALYSIS OF BODY TISSUES AND FLUID ,
IN-VIVO BODY ORGAN IMAGING AND TUMOR LOCALIZATION AND
THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES .

14. 8) PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS
• THESE INCLUDES GAS CYLINDER , AEROCAL CANS ………

15. 9) GENOTOXIC WASTES
• WASTES CONTAINING CYTOTOXIC DRUGS ( OFTEN USED IN CANCER THERAPY ) .

16. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
BIOMEDICAL WASTES
ORGANISM :
• VIRUSES : HIV , HEPATITIS B , HEPATITIS A , HEPATITIS C , ARBOVIRUSES , ENTEROVIRUSES , HERPES VIRUSES .
• DISEASES CAUSED : AIDS , INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS , DENNGUE , JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS , OCULAR INFECTION ,
GENITAL INFECTION .
• RELATED WASTE ITEM : INFECTED NEEDLES , HUMAN EXCRETA , BLOOD , BODY FLUIDS , EYE SECRETIONS , GENITAL
SECRETIONS .

17. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
BIOMEDICAL WASTES
ORGANISM :
• BACTERIA : SALMONELLA TYPHI , VIBRIO CHOLERIAE , CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI , PSEUDOMONAS ,
STREPTOCOCCUS .
• DISEASES CAUSED : TYPHOID , CHOLERA , TETANUS , WOUND INFECTIONS , SEPTICEMIA , RHEUMATIC FEVER ,
ENDOCARDITIS , SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS .
• RELATED WASTE ITEM : INFECTED NEEDLES , BODY FLUIDS , SHARPS , SUCH AS NEEDLES ,SURGICAL BLADES IN
HOSPITAL WASTE .

18. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
BIOMEDICAL WASTES
ORGANISM :
• PARASITES : WUCHERARIA BANCROFTI , PLASMODIUM SP.
• DISEASES CAUSED : LEISHMANIASIS , FILARIASIS KALA AZAR , MALARIA .
• RELATED WASTE ITEM : HUMAN EXCRETA , BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS , IN POORLY MANAGED SEWAGE SYSTEM .

19. PROCESS OF BIOMEDICAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
1. SEGREGATION OF WASTES
2. COLLECTION OF WASTES
3. STORAGE OF WASTES
4. TRANSPORTATION OF WASTES
5. TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES

20. I. SEGREGATION OF WASTES
• SEGREGATION OF WASTES DONE AT POINT OF GENERATION OF WASTE AND PUT IN SEPARATE COLOURED
BAGS .
• COLOUR CODING VARIES FROM NATION TO NATION .
• IN INDIA , AIIMS , NEW DELHI ; FOLLOWING COLOUR CODE BAGS ARE PRACTICED :
#BLACK BIN :
> GENERAL WASTES ( PAPER , WRAPPERS ) .
> CYTOTOXIC WASTES .

21. #YELLOWBIN :
> BIO- HAZARDS INFECTIOUS WASTE .
> NON PLASTIC .
> INFECTIOUS DRESSING MATERIALS LIKE GAUZE , COTTON ……..
> HUMAN ORGANS , BODY PARTS AND TISSUES .
> PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE KIT) – DISPOSABLE
GOWN , MASK , CAP .

22. #REDBIN :
> BIO- HAZARDS INFECTIOUS PLASTIC WASTE.
> BLOOD BAGS .
> INFECTIOUS IV SETS .
> INFECTIOUS PLASTIC TUBINGS .
> RUBBER CATHETERS .
> CUT PLASTICS / LATEX GLOVES .

23. #WHITE BIN :
> PUNCTURE PROOF CAN .
> BIO- HAZARD SHARPS .
> USED NEEDLES .
> USED SCALPEL BLADES .
> CANNULA STYLET.
> LANCETS .
> BROKEN GLASS SLIDES AND COVER SLIP .

24. # BLUEBIN :
> BIO- HAZARD INFECTIOUS SHARP WASTE .
> GLASS BOTTLES .
> GLASS AMPULES .
> INJECTION VIALS .

25. #GREENBIN :
> RECYCLABLE WASTE .
> OFFICE SANITARY .
> DISPOSABLE PAPER CUPS .
> TISSUE PAPER USED FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSE .
> KITCHEN WASTES .

26. II. COLLECTION OF WASTES
• CENTRALIZED SANITATION STAFFS OR ANY OTHER SANITATION STAFFS SHOULD COLLECT THE WASTE
DURING MORNING , AFTERNOON AND EVENING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF NURSING STAFF AND
SANITATION SUPERVISOR.
• DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE DONE IN REGISTER .
• GARBAGE BIN SHOULD BE CLEANED AND DISINFECTED REGULARLY .

27. III. STORAGE OF WASTES
• WASTE SHOULD NOT BE STORED IN THE GENERATION AREA FOR MORE THAN A PERIOD OF 4 – 6 HOURS .
• IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARAMEDIC OR SANITATION STAFF TO CHECK FOR SEGREGATION .
• WASTES COLLECTED IN VARIOUS AREA SHOULD BE TRANSPORTED FOR DISPOSAL / TREATMENT .

28. IV. TRANSPORTATION OF WASTES
• THERE SHOULD BE SEPARATE CORRIDOR AND LIFT IN HOSPITAL TO CARRY AND TRANSPORT WASTES .
• GENERAL WASTES ARE DEPOSITED AT MUNICIPAL DUMPS .
• WASTES FOR AUTOCLAVING AND INCINERATION ARE DUMPED AT SEPARATE SITE FOR EXTERNAL
TRANSPORT ( SHOULD HAVE SEPARATE COLOURED BAGS FOR THESE WASTES ) .
• TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE DONE IN SEALED CONTAINER . SANITATION SUPERVISOR SHOULD ENSURE
FOR LEAKAGE .

29. V. TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES
• GENERAL WASTES SHOULD BE DUMPED AT MUNICIPAL DUMPING SITE .
• SANITATION OFFICER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROPER COORDINATION
BETWEEN MUNICIPAL AND HOSPITAL .
• USE OF LABEL / SYMBOL IS USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING WASTE FOR TREATMENT ,
EXAMPLES : RISK OF CORROSION , DANGER OF INFECTION , TOXIC HAZARDS ,
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS .
• LABEL SHOULD BE NON- WASHABLE AND PROMINENTLY VISIBLE .

30. • TREATMENT & DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGY :
A) INCINERATION
B) CHEMICAL DISINFECTION
C) WET & DRY THERMAL TREATMENT
D) MICROWAVE IRRADIATION
E) LAND DISPOSAL
F) INERTIZATION

31. A) INCINERATION :
• HIGH TEMPERATUREDRY OXIDATIONPROCESS THAT REDUCE ORGANIC AND COMBUSTIBLE WASTE
INTO INORGANIC INCOMBUSTIBLE MATTER RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN WASTE VOLUME
AND WEIGHT .
• PROCESS IS SELECTED TO TREAT WASTE THAT CANNOT BE RECYCLED , REUSED OR CAN BE DISPOSED IN
LANDS .
• TYPES OF INCINERATION :
• DOUBLE CHAMBERED – FOR INFECTIOUS WASTES .
• SINGLE CHAMBERED – IF DOUBLE CHAMBER NOT AFFORDABLE .
• ROTATORY KILNS – FOR GENOTOXIC WASTE .

32. B) CHEMICAL DISINFECTION :
• COMMONLY USED FOR TREATMENT OF LIQUID INFECTIOUS WASTES ( BLOOD , URINE , STOOL AND
HOSPITAL SEWAGE ) .
• CHEMICALS ARE ADDED TO WASTE TO KILL OR INACTIVATE THE PATHOGENS IT CONTAINS .

33. C) WET AND DRY THERMAL TREATMENT :
• WET THERMAL TREATMENT / STEAM DISINFECTION IS BASED ON EXPOSURE OF INFECTIOUS WASTE TO
HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HIGH PRESSURE .
• STEAM SIMILAR TO PROCESS OF AUTOCLAVING INAPPROPRIATE FOR TREATING ANATOMICAL WASTE ,
CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE .
• SCREW FEED TECHNOLOGY : DRY THERMAL TREATMENT IN WHICH WASTE IS SHREDDED AND HEATED IN
ROTATING AUGER 80% VOLUME AND 20 – 35G WEIGHT IS REDUCED , SUITABLE FOR INFECTIOUS WASTE
AND SHARPS .

34. D) MICROWAVE IRRADIATION :
• MICROWAVE OF FREQUENCY 2450 MHZ AND WAVELENGTH 12.24 CM USED TO DESTROY THE MICRO-
ORGANISMS .
• WATER CONTAINED IN THE WASTE IS RAPIDLY HEATED BY MICROWAVE AND INFECTIOUS COMPONENTS
ARE DESTROYED BY HEAT CONDUCTION .

35. E) LAND DISPOSAL :
1. OPEN DUMPS : RISK FOR PUBLIC HEALTH .
2. SANITARY LANDFILLS : DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF SOIL ,
SURFACE , GROUND WATER AND DIRECT CONTACT WITH PUBLIC .

36. F) INERTIZATION :
• THE PROCESS OF MIXING WASTE WITH CEMENT AND OTHER SUBSTANCES BEFORE DISPOSAL IN ORDER
TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES . MIGRATING INTO SURFACE WATER OR GROUND WATER
AND TO PREVENT SCAVENGING .
• PROPORTION OF 65% WASTE , 15% LIME , 15% CEMENT AND 5% WATER IS USED .

37. CONCLUSION
SAFE AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE IS NOT ONLY A LEGAL NECESSITY BUT ALSO
A SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY .
BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT CANNOT BE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT THE
WILLINGNESS , DEVOTION , SELF-MOTIVATION , COOPERATION AND PARTICIPATION OF ALL SECTIONS OF
EMPLOYEES OF ANY HEALTH CARE ESTABLISHMENT .
IF WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY , WE MUST SEE
OURSELVES TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE NOT ONLY IN THE INTEREST OF HEALTH MANAGERS BUT ALSO IN THE
INTEREST OF COMMUNITY .