Challenge Of Managing Biomedical Waste Generated During The Pandemic

The huge quantities of biomedical waste generated during the subsequent waves of COVID-19 had put immense strain on the biomedical waste management system. With new methods of COVID testing and increased rates of vaccination across the country, the waste generated is further set to increase.

• Biomedical waste is defined as the waste generated during diagnosis, testing, treatment, immunization, or during research and manufacturing of biological products. India generateS nearly 3 million tonnes of medical waste every year, which has risen significantly during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Improper disposal of biomedical waste leads to health hazards, including transmission of infectious diseases. It may also pollute air, water and land resources.

Rise in Biomedical waste during COVID-19

• According to a report by Central Pollution Control Board, the country has generated nearly 45,954 tonnes of COVID related biomedical waste from May 2020 to May 2021.
• Before the pandemic, India generated approximately 620 tonnes biomedical waste per day. During the initial stages of the Pandemic, COVID related biomedical waste itself accounted for 126 tonnes of biomedical waste.
• During this period, the state of Maharashtra was the largest producer of COVID related biomedical waste, which was followed by Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
• The highest daily COVID related bio-medical waste in India was generated in May 2021 at about 250 tonnes per day when the second wave was at its peak in various states.

Composition of Biomedical Waste

• Bio medical waste includes a large range of medical refuse such as syringes, medicines, used masks, gloves, urine bags, blood-soaked tissues, PPE kits, etc.
• As biomedical waste is toxic in nature and pollutes the environment, it is classified into the following colour coded categories for the purpose of segregation and disposal.
• Red Bins: Waste such as eye protection goggles, recyclable materials like pens, plastic water bottles and bed sheets are to be kept in red bins. The collected waste is to be disinfected through autoclave or microwave or hydroclave and sent for recycling.
• White Bins: Sharp waste including metals is to be discarded in white bins. For the treatment, sterilisation is to be followed by shredding or containers mutilation or encapsulation.
• Blue Bins: Glassware, tube light, CFL bulbs, LED used in quarantine facility are to be kept IN blue bins. The waste is disinfected and can be recycled.
• Yellow Bins: Used personal protective equipment, gloves, shoe covers, head covers, disposable bed sheets, etc. are disposed in yellow bins, which are to be incinerated or buried in deep pits.

Issues in the Management of Biomedical Waste

• Strained Treatment Capacity: The biomedical waste treatment capacity of the country is 754 tonnes per day. Biomedical waste generated during the peak of the pandemic was 250 tonnes per day which overwhelmed the already strained biomedical waste treatment capacity.
• There are wide disparities in the waste treatment capacities of the states. According to a CPCB report, as many as 22 states and UTs generated more biomedical waste than their treatment capacity during the second wave of the pandemic.
• There are only 200 authorised common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facilities in all the states.
• Increase in Sources of Waste Generated: There has been a rise in number of sources of biomedical wastes. Monitoring the sources of COVID related waste is difficult as the sources vary from individual households to isolation centres, makeshift quarantine camps, numerous, clinics, hospitals etc.
• Poor Segregation: Biomedical waste is generally not segregated properly, because of which high quantity of domestic waste is also incinerated in the facilities developed for treatment of medical waste.
  • Mixing of general solid waste with biomedical waste results in additional load on incinerators, which are not designed for handling domestic solid waste. It results in scaling on the inner lining walls of incinerators, which eventually decreases the efficiency.
• Lack of Awareness among Medical Staff: It has been observed that due to lack of awareness and training to the medical support staff, plastic, metal and glass components from medical facilities is generally sold off to local dealers.
• Deficiencies in Implementation of Rules: According to Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016, “the biomedical waste generated from hospitals shall be collected and disposed of in accordance with the procedure specified, within 48 hours.”
• Due to poor awareness and lack of communication, apart from masks, PPE kits and gloves, the food waste, disposable cutlery, etc. is also put into yellow bags.

Segregation of the waste generated at the source could be the very first step in effective management of biomedical waste in the country. There is a need to spread greater awareness among waste generators and collectors. Technological developments should focus on manufacturing reusable masks, gloves and other PPEs, which will significantly reduce the waste burden.