India crossed 100000 COVID cases recently. Our numbers are rising to the nines, and officials say that we are yet to reach the peak. The respiratory nature of the Novel Coronavirus poses a threat to human beings with its quick transmission; sometimes being asymptomatic. Moreover, the virus has been known to spread through indirect contact with material items as well. This brings about the question about how quarantine facilities, private laboratories, and isolation wards are dealing with containing the virus within their boundaries by properly disposing of their biomedical waste (BMW)?
Many have lauded our health care and sanitation workers for fighting the virus and putting themselves at such proximity to it day after day. It is also necessary to realize that not only are they treating COVID patients to the best of their abilities but are also responsible for the correct disposal of any BMW that could cause further spread.
Apart from the BMW Management Rule 2016, newer guidelines have been introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for BMW disposal in times of COVID. These guidelines were issues with help from existing data about other viral diseases like HIV and H1N1.
All isolation centers, quarantine facilities, and laboratories conducting tests are following the same set of rules. They have been asked to keep all COVID-19 waste separated from general waste in double-layered bags to prevent any leaks and endure adequate strength. In addition, this waste is also required to be labeled as “COVID-19 Waste” to make it easier for final disposal. All bins or trolleys that collect the waste are to be disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution daily.
For self-quarantine homes, any biomedical waste is being collected separately in yellow bags for easy identification. People in charge at quarantine facilities and homes have also been instructed to inform the Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility so that BMW can be collected efficiently. Both, facilities as well at the CBMWTF have been asked to keep separate records for any COVID waste generated. An app-based monitoring system has also been employed to collect data on COVID related BMW; proving less than fruitful results.
In CBMWTF, most biomedical waste is to be pre-treated, disinfected, and incinerated whereas some items like gloves, IV tubs, glass bottles are destroyed and then recycled. However, inspections have found incinerators to be in inadequate working conditions, burning waste at lower temperatures which gives rise to toxic emissions.
Concern arises in areas where the CBMWTF doesn’t exist. In those cases, facilities have been instructed to follow existing rules and burial pits to dispose of waste.
All in all, most states are following guidelines set by CPCB by setting up their own mechanisms and teams and no complaints have been registered for improper disposal of BMW. Most governments have employed private agencies for the disposals. All staff has also been instructed to be equipped with PPEs while dealing with BMW.
- Kanisha for India Against COVID
Many have lauded our health care and sanitation workers for fighting the virus and putting themselves at such proximity to it day after day. It is also necessary to realize that not only are they treating COVID patients to the best of their abilities but are also responsible for the correct disposal of any BMW that could cause further spread.
Apart from the BMW Management Rule 2016, newer guidelines have been introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for BMW disposal in times of COVID. These guidelines were issues with help from existing data about other viral diseases like HIV and H1N1.
All isolation centers, quarantine facilities, and laboratories conducting tests are following the same set of rules. They have been asked to keep all COVID-19 waste separated from general waste in double-layered bags to prevent any leaks and endure adequate strength. In addition, this waste is also required to be labeled as “COVID-19 Waste” to make it easier for final disposal. All bins or trolleys that collect the waste are to be disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution daily.
For self-quarantine homes, any biomedical waste is being collected separately in yellow bags for easy identification. People in charge at quarantine facilities and homes have also been instructed to inform the Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility so that BMW can be collected efficiently. Both, facilities as well at the CBMWTF have been asked to keep separate records for any COVID waste generated. An app-based monitoring system has also been employed to collect data on COVID related BMW; proving less than fruitful results.
In CBMWTF, most biomedical waste is to be pre-treated, disinfected, and incinerated whereas some items like gloves, IV tubs, glass bottles are destroyed and then recycled. However, inspections have found incinerators to be in inadequate working conditions, burning waste at lower temperatures which gives rise to toxic emissions.
Concern arises in areas where the CBMWTF doesn’t exist. In those cases, facilities have been instructed to follow existing rules and burial pits to dispose of waste.
All in all, most states are following guidelines set by CPCB by setting up their own mechanisms and teams and no complaints have been registered for improper disposal of BMW. Most governments have employed private agencies for the disposals. All staff has also been instructed to be equipped with PPEs while dealing with BMW.
- Kanisha for India Against COVID
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