Page 211 - AJWEP-22-5

Knowledge into practice: Managing bio-waste

disposal, or handling of BMW. This includes hospitals, Furthermore, adopting sustainable methodologies
nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary and promoting recycling can drastically diminish
institutions, animal houses, pathological laboratories, both environmental repercussions and the related
blood banks, traditional medicine hospitals, clinical expenses. 7,12 In conclusion, the holistic management of
establishments, research or educational institutions, BMW is essential for safeguarding both human well-
health camps, medical or surgical camps, vaccination being and the ecosystem from the detrimental effects of
camps, blood donation camps, school first-aid rooms, improper disposal and treatment. 13
forensic laboratories, and research labs. 4-6 The legal architecture for managing BMW in India
BMWM is a pressing issue, encompassing a multitude is primarily shaped by the BMWM Rules of 2016,
of practices and challenges across various healthcare which superseded the earlier regulations set forth in
settings. From the dynamic atmosphere of hospitals 1998. These guidelines are comprehensive, intricately
to the serene settings of home care, each context outlining the classification, separation, collection,
contributes uniquely to the escalating crisis of BMW. transportation, and final disposal of BMW. They
For instance, hospitals generate considerable quantities incorporate precise directives on color coding of waste
of hazardous waste, including used needles and containers, proper labeling, and standards governing
contaminated dressings. Investigations at K.R. Hospital treatment and disposal facilities, such as incinerators
and J.S.S. Hospital in Mysore revealed considerable and autoclaves. 14,15 The regulations apply to all parties
deficiencies in their waste disposal practices. 7 engaged in the creation and management of BMW,
BMW, a byproduct of healthcare endeavors, is including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. However,
16
categorized into various types, each with unique in India, inadequate enforcement and insufficient waste
characteristics and ecological implications. These segregation have led to environmental degradation
include infectious waste, radioactive waste, and heightened public health risks. Globally, the
17
pharmaceutical waste, and non-infectious waste, such governance of BMW is determined by treaties, such as
as sharps and general medical refuse. Infectious the Basel Convention, which oversees the movement of
8,9
waste, comprising discarded syringes and bodily fluids, hazardous waste, and the Stockholm Convention, which
harbors considerable health dangers due to the potential aims to reduce the production and use of persistent
presence of harmful pathogens. Radioactive waste, pollutants. The World Health Organization (WHO)
18
8
typically generated during diagnostic and therapeutic categorizes medical waste into eight distinct groups,
activities, can pose lasting environmental and health underlining the critical need for meticulous handling
effects if not properly managed. Pharmaceutical waste, to avert infection and injury. Nations, such as the
14
when inadequately handled, can lead to ecological United States and the United Kingdom have instituted
degradation, ultimately impacting water systems and rigorous regulations and practices for BMWM, acting
natural habitats. Even non-infectious waste, though as exemplary models for effective waste handling. The
18
8
relatively less perilous, still necessitates diligent international landscape highlights the need for robust
management to avert ecological pollution. 8 legal frameworks and their effective enforcement to
Effective stewardship of medical waste is mitigate the risks associated with BMW. While India
paramount, given its capacity to instigate environmental has established a solid legal foundation, the successful
degradation and public health dilemmas. Conventional execution of these rules remains a pivotal hurdle,
disposal techniques, such as incineration, although demanding amplified compliance mechanisms and
efficient in minimizing waste volume, can emit enhanced public awareness initiatives. 17,19
detrimental pollutants if not meticulously regulated. 7,10 Although government bodies take immense
Alternatives, such as autoclaving and microwaving are responsibility in handling BMW – as seen in the state
hailed as more eco-conscious options, yet may not be of Telangana, where 11 Common BMW Treatment
applicable for all waste types, particularly pathological Facilities are currently in operation – BMWM should
20
or radioactive substances. In resource-limited not be the sole responsibility of these facilities. Events,
10
nations, inadequate infrastructure and weak regulatory such as the COVID-19 pandemic have amplified
enforcement exacerbate the environmental and health global concern over BMW, underscoring the need for
hazards associated with poor BMWM. 10,11 Proficient collective responsibility, particularly among frontline
waste management strategies, encompassing accurate workers. In practice, all healthcare personnel, regardless
classification, labeling, and cutting-edge disposal of role or rank, are involved in the handling of BMW
technologies, are vital for alleviating these hazards. and are, therefore, key agents in its management.
12
21

Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 205 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025090058