GS III- Environment

1.Mishandling of biomedical waste poses several inherent risks. In this context, discuss the measures taken to tackle biomedical waste in India.

Biomedical waste (BMW) refers to waste generated during medical and healthcare activities such as diagnosis, treatment, or research. Mishandling this waste poses risks such as:
1.Health Risks: Exposure to infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radioactive substances can harm healthcare workers, patients, and waste handlers.
2.Environmental Risks: Improper disposal, such as open dumping or incineration, can lead to soil and water contamination and air pollution.
3.Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Improper disposal of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in waste exacerbates the global AMR crisis.

India has undertaken several initiatives to manage BMW effectively:

1. Legislative Framework
   ●Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016:
   ○Introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), these rules provide guidelines for BMW segregation, storage, transport, and disposal.
   ○Key provisions include:
   ■Segregation of waste at the source into color-coded bins (yellow, red, white, blue) based on waste type.
   ■Prohibition of incineration of chlorinated plastic bags and gloves.
   ■Use of barcoding and GPS for tracking waste.
   ●Amendments in 2018 and 2019:
   ○Mandated pre-treatment of laboratory and microbiological waste before incineration.
   ○Inclusion of vaccination camps, blood donation drives, and surgical camps under BMW rules.
2. Institutional Mechanisms
   ●Common Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (CBWTFs):
   ○Centralized facilities handle collection, transport, and treatment of BMW.
   ○CBWTFs use technologies like incineration, autoclaving, and shredding.
   ●State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs):
   ○SPCBs monitor and enforce compliance with BMW regulations.
3. Technology and Innovation
   ●Online Monitoring Systems:
   ○Integration of barcoding systems to track waste generation, movement, and disposal.
   ●Alternative Technologies:
   ○Promoting non-incineration technologies like autoclaving, microwaving, and chemical disinfection to reduce pollution.
4. Capacity Building and Awareness
   ●Training Programs:
   ○Conducted for healthcare workers and waste handlers on BMW segregation, handling, and safety practices.
   ●Public Awareness Campaigns:
   ○Aimed at educating the general public on the risks of BMW and the importance of proper disposal.
5. COVID-19 Response
   ●During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional measures were introduced to manage the surge in BMW:
   ○Guidelines for the disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and vaccine waste.
   ○Dedicated COVID-19 waste treatment facilities.

Challenges in Biomedical Waste Management
●Infrastructure Deficit: Limited CBWTFs in remote areas lead to improper disposal.
●Lack of Awareness and Training: Inconsistent adherence to BMW segregation and disposal norms.
●Monitoring Gaps: Ineffective implementation of tracking systems in some regions.
●Pollution from Incineration: Releases toxic emissions like dioxins and furans.
Recommendations for Improvement
●Strengthening Infrastructure: Establish CBWTFs in underserved areas and modernize waste treatment technologies.
●Enhanced Monitoring: Use AI and IoT for real-time tracking of BMW compliance.
●Incentives for Compliance: Provide financial and technical support to healthcare facilities to adopt eco-friendly practices.
●Community Engagement: Foster public-private partnerships and engage civil society to improve awareness and compliance.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stigma-of-hiv-and-birth-of-biomedical-waste-regulations-a-story-of-tragedy-and-reform/article68908394.ece#:~:text=The%20stigma%20surrounding%20HIV%2C%20linked,Ronald%20Reagan%20administration%20to%20act.