1. Discuss on composition of bio medical waste.

Bio medical waste consist of:

Waste generated from human anatomical (tissues, organs etc);
Waste generated from animal waste during research from the veterinary hospitals;
Waste of discarded medicines;
Waste of cytotoxic drugs;
Liquid waste from infected areas, incineration ash or any other chemical wastes;
Waste materials contaminated with blood, tubes etc or soiled waste i.e., dressing,
bandages etc.
Infectious waste- it includes the waste which includes infectious or contaminated waste
generated from hospitals;
Sharps- it includes waste like needles, scalpels, razors, broken glass etc;
Pathological waste- it includes tissues, blood, body parts, blood, fluid of human or
animal;
Pharmaceutical waste- it includes unused or expired drug or medicines like creams, pills
etc;
Genotoxic waste-it consists of cytotoxic drugs and other waste which is toxic in nature;
Radioactive waste- any waste which contains potentially radioactive materials;
Chemical waste- waste which is usually in liquid form that comes from machines,
batteries and disinfectants;
General waste- it contains all other non-hazardous waste.

2. Discuss about potential hazards in our environment regarding biomedical waste.

hazardous” and may pose a variety of environmental and health risks.

Infectious waste may contain any of a great variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogens in
infectious waste may enter the human body by a number of routes: through a puncture, abrasion,
or cut in the skin; through the mucous membranes; by inhalation; by ingestion. The body fluids
are the usual vehicles of transmission.

There is particular concern about infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
hepatitis viruses B and C, for which there is strong evidence of transmission via health-care waste.
These viruses are generally transmitted through injuries from syringe needles contaminated by
human blood.

The existence in health-care establishments of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and chemical

disinfectants may also contribute to the hazards created by poorly managed health-care waste. It
has been demonstrated, for example, that plasmids from laboratory strains contained in health-care
waste were transferred to indigenous bacteria via the waste disposal system. Moreover, antibiotic-
resistant Escherichia coli have been shown to survive in an activated sludge plant, although there
does not seem to be significant transfer of this organism under normal conditions of wastewater
disposal and treatment.

3. Summarize different types of wastes and how it is identified in biomedical waste

management.
1. INFECTIOUS WASTE:
Infectious.waste suspected to contain pathogens (bacteria,viruses, parasites,fungi)
in sufficient quantity to cause diseases in susceptible hosts.Cultures and stocks
infectious agents laboratory work.Waste from surgery on patients with infectious
disease.Infected animals from laboratories.
2.PATHOLOGICAL WASTE:
It consists of tissues, organs, body parts, human fetuses, and animal carcasses, blood, and
body fluids.
3. SHARPS:
These are the items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds, including;

✔ Needles,

✔ Scalpel and other blades,

✔ Knives,

✔ Infusion sets,

✔ Saws,
Broken glass, and nails
4.PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE:
It includes expired, unused, spilt, and contaminated

✔ Pharmaceutical products,

✔ Drugs,

✔ Vaccines, and sera

5.GENOTOXIC WASTE:
• Genotoxic waste is highly hazardous and may have;
Mutagenic, Teratogenic, or Carcinogenic properties.
 It raises serious safety problems, both inside hospitals and after disposal, and should be given
special attention. It includes certain cytostatic drugs, vomit, urine, or feces from patients treated
with cytostatic drugs, chemicals, and radioactive material.
6. CHEMICAL WASTE:
It consists of discarded Solid, liquid, and gaseous chemicals. Chemical waste may be
hazardous or nonhazardous.
It is considered to be hazardous if it has at least one of the following properties:
Toxic,Corrosive (acids of pH < 2 and bases of pH> 12) ,Flammable, Reactive Genotoxic.
7.WASTES WITH HIGH CONTENT OF HEAVY METALS:
It represents a subcategory of hazardous chemical waste, and is usually highly toxic.
It includes Batteries, Broken thermometer, Blood-pressure gauges.
8. PRESSURIZED CONTAINERS:
Many types of gas are used in health care, and are often stored in pressurized cylinders,
cartridges, and aerosol cans.
Most common gases used in health care includes: Anesthetic gases ,Ethylene oxide ,
Oxygen ,Compressed air .
9. RADIOACTIVE WASTE:
It includes the X- rays, α- and β- particles, and γ- rays emitted by radioactive
substances.
Alpha-particles,are heavy positively charged, include,protons and neutrons.They have
low penetration power, and are hazardous to humans mostly when inhaled or ingested.
Beta- Particles, are negatively or positively charged electrons with significant ability to
penetrate human skin, they affect health through ionization of intracellular proteins and
proteinaceous components.
Gamma- Rays, are electromagnetic radiations similar to X-rays but to shorter
wavelength. Their penetrating power is high and lead shielding is required to reduce their
intensity.

4. Short notes on hazard of biomedical waste.

HEALTH HAZARDS OF HOSPITAL WASTE.

Waste is hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following four characteristics:

● IGNITABILITY: waste capable of burning or causing fire. They can irritate the skin,
eyes, and lungs and may give harmful vapors. Examples include gasoline, industrial
alcohols, paint,furniture polish.
● CORROSIVITY: waste capable of corroding metals and burning human tissues on
contact. E.g. alkaline cleaners,some chlorides, fluorides, and acids.
● REACTIVITY: materials capable of reacting with other chemicals in air or water,
causing an explosion or release of poisonous fumes. E.g. peroxides, isocyanides,
cyanides, and chlorine.
● TOXICITY: toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested orabsorbed. E.g. heavy
metals such as lead and mercury, and pesticide wastes.
5. Benefits and Techniques of Waste Minimization in biomedical Waste Management.

WASTE MINIMIZATION
• May be encouraged by the implementation of certain policies and practices, including
the following:
• Source reduction: measures such as purchasing restrictions to ensure the selection of
methods or supplies generate less hazardous waste.
• Recyclable products: use of materials that may be recycled, either on-site or off-site.
• Good management and control practices: apply particularly to the purchase and use of
chemicals and pharmaceuticals
RECYCLING AND REUSE
Medical equipments used in a health-care establishment may be reused provided that they
are designed for that purpose and will withstand the sterilization process. E.g. scalpels
and hypodermic needles, syringes, glass bottles.
HANDLING, STORAGE, AND TRANSPORTATION
• Appropriate handling, storage, transportation, and treatment of waste by type reduces
costs and does much to protects public health.
The best way to manage safe and cost-effective waste disposal is through segregation of
wastes into "contaminated" and "general" wastes.
 • The general waste can be disposed of cost-effectively through normal means and taken
to landfill, and contaminated waste can be handled and treated safely before disposal in
landfill.

• If a product has become soiled with blood or other body fluids, it's treated as
'contaminated waste', and either incinerated or treated chemically and landfilled as
general waste

6. Classify major and minor sources of biomedical waste.

The sources of health-care waste can be classified as MAJOR or MINOR according to

the quantities produced.
Major sources
Hospitals
- University hospital
- General hospital - District hospital

Other health-care establishments

-Emergency medical care services
-Health-care centers and dispensaries
- Obstetric and maternity clinics
- Outpatient clinics
-Dialysis centers
-First-aid posts
-Transfusion centers
- Military medical services

Related laboratories and research centers

- Medical and biomedical laboratories - Biotechnology laboratories and institutions
- Medical research centers
Mortuary and autopsy centers
Animal research and testing
Blood banks and blood collection services
Nursing homes for the elderly

Minor sources
Small health-care establishments
- Physicians' offices - Dental clinics
 - Acupuncturists
- Chiropractors
Specialized health-care establishments and institutions with low waste generation
- Convalescent nursing homes
-Psychiatric hospitals
- Disabled persons' institutions

● While minor and scattered sources may produce some health-care waste in categories
similar to hospital waste, their composition will be different.

• For example:

- they rarely produce radioactive or cytostatic waste;

- human body parts are generally not included;

- sharps consist mainly of hypodermic needles.

7. Summarize safety precautions in biomedical waste management.

8. Differentiate direct and indirect Hazards in biomedical waste management system.
9. Why we need proper disposal system for biomedical waste
Improper management of waste generated in health care facilities causes a direct health
hazards on the society, the health care workers and on the environment. There is a
requirement for the management of biomedical waste to minimize the risk of infection
outside the hospital for waste handlers, scavengers and those living in the vicinity of
hospitals. Management is also needed due to the risk of air, water, and soil pollution, or due
to improper incineration emissions and ash. It plays an important role in disposal of the
discarded drugs that can be repacked and sold off.
Land disposal is typically used for remediation of waste which is decontaminated by above
applicable treatment methods. This method is generally used in developing countries which
involves the dumping of waste into a landfill. Land-filling should be done at locations where
groundwater level is low and which are far from flooding sources. Radioactive wastes are
generally dumped in the oceans far away from human habitations. Every state and
local government has its own rules and regulations for disposal of disinfected waste
 .
10. Discuss about bio medical waste handling rules.
11. Discuss about impact of healthcare waste in our environment regarding biomedical waste
12. Classify color bins for biomedical waste.
Segregation of Biomedical Waste:
Segregation of waste plays a chief role for enhanced biomedical waste
management. It is imperative to decrease the volume of infectious waste or
else the quantum of waste will go beyond the control of management. The
waste is separated according to various colour coding system of waste
containers which is given below:
1. Red bag: Recyclable contaminated waste such as bottles, intravenous
tubes, catheters, urine bags, syringes and gloves.
2. Yellow bag: Human and animal anatomical waste, soiled waste
including items contaminated with blood, body fluids like dressings,
plaster casts, cotton swabs, expired or discarded medicines, chemical
waste (liquid), rejected linen, mattresses, beddings infected with
blood or body fluid, microbiology, biotechnology and other medical
laboratory waste.
3. Black bag: Incineration ash and chemical waste (solid).
4. White bag: Waste sharps including needles, scalpels, blades, or any
other contaminated sharp object that may cause puncture and cuts.
5. Blue bag: Metallic body implants and glassware such as medicine vials,
13.Enumerate incineration techniques in biomedical waste management

Biomedical waste treatment refers to the processes to eradicate the deleterious effects of
the waste. There are several treatment options which maximize safety during handling and
disposal of the waste. It also minimizes environmental hazards. Incineration, Autoclaving,
irradiation and chemical treatments are the most common methods used for treatment and
decontamination of biomedical waste.
Incineration
It is a treatment process used to convert pathological and pharmaceutical waste into ash,
flue gases and heat. Operating temperature for incineration should be in the range of 800-
1400oC. It decreases the mass of waste by 90-95% and thus reduces adverse effects on the
environment .

Autoclaving
It is a process of steam sterilization and is the most common alternative to incineration.
Autoclaving requires a temperature of 121oC and pressure of about 15 pounds per square
inch (psi) for 20-30 minutes.This treatment is applied to inactivate the infectious agents and
to sterilize the equipment used in medical services. It is less costly and carries no
documented health impacts
Chemical treatment
This treatment is often used to decontaminate liquid waste, so that it can be disposed off
locally. It makes use of several techniques such as oxidation, reduction, precipitation and pH
neutralization to convert waste into less hazardous substances. Chlorine, sodium hydroxide
or calcium oxide can be used according to the nature of waste .
Irradiation
These systems are presently being used in waste treatment operations which include
gamma, electron-beam, ultraviolet and X-rays. Irradiation sterilizes waste in an enclosed
chamber by exposing it to a radioactive cobalt-60 which gives out gamma rays that are
lethal to micro-organisms. It is very expensive as compared to other methods and
precautions must be taken to protect workers from harmful effects of radiations such as
cancer, radiation sickness or even death.
14.Summarize infection and infection agents in bio medical waste management.

● All needles, scalpels, razor blades and any other sharp objects are generally referred to as
Sharps. How they have been used will determine which type of medical waste they are
categorised as & generally infectious, or
● Any body parts, human tissue or bodily fluid & as well as swabs and cultures - is typically
referred to as anatomical or This is generally known as biohazard waste.
● The vast majority of medicines can be categorised into general pharmaceutical or medical
waste & unless they are cytotoxic or cytostatic.
● Gloves, aprons, gowns, and used plastic packaging (like empty syringes and IVs), bandages
and gauzes will be hazardous/offensive waste & if the patient isn't infected with any
 disease (also known as trace-chemotherapeutic waste), or it will be designated infectious
waste if there is a risk of contamination.

Definition, facts,
Healthcare sources Corresponding hazards
and properties
•

Infectious wastes are

responsible for the
Infectious wastes are occurrence of
biohazardous or different infectious
biomedical wastes disease (Influenza,
which carry infection Hepatitis A/B,
causing agents. Tuberculosis, SARS,
Infectious waste carry etc.) through
biological or chemical transmission of
agents that may cause microorganisms
disease in short term or (viruses, bacteria,
Diagnostic samples of
in long term. Apart parasite, and fungi).
blood or body fluids,
from healthcare
infectious agents released
services, any
from autopsy, suction •
healthcare related
canisters, and animal
activities might be Environmental
body in laboratories,
1. responsible for exposure of infectious
infected swabs, gowns,
infectious waste waste destroys useful
gauze, masks, bandages
Infectious generation. Usually, and medical equipment, microbes, plants, and
waste 15%–25% of total harm animals.
microbiological samples,
produced HCW are
fetuses, body parts,
infectious waste.
tissues, infected or used •
Sometimes, some
containers, expired drugs,
pathological or sharp Even short-term
contaminated excreta and
waste can also be exposure to infectious
urine, used solutions,
regarded as infectious waste may cause
vaccine waste, etc.
waste because of occurrence of
having infection infectious disease.
causing properties. A
wide range of •
healthcare services,
that is, diagnosis, Agriculture sector also
treatment, prevention gets affected by
produce huge share of infectious waste
infectious waste. causing damage of
significant amount of
agricultural product
damage.
2m
 1. specify the biomedical management in India?
Biomedical waste management is significant to defend the environment and health of the
population.Inadequate management of waste produced in health care facilities causes a direct
health hazards on the general public, the health care workers and on the environment
2.How can we classify biomedical waste?
Go to qn no :3
3. Mention the category and classification of biomedical waste management in various place
Infectious waste
Pathological waste
Sharps
Pharmetical waste
Genotoxic waste
Chemical waste
Radioactive waste
Pressurized containers

4.What are all the colour bin used in biomedical waste?

YELLOW -Pathological waste, Soiled (infectious) waste
RED- Contaminated waste (recyclable)
WHITE -Sharps waste
BLUE-Medical glassware waste

5.list out the impacts of biomedical waste?

Health-care waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms which can infect hospital patients,
health workers, and the general public. Other potential infectious risks may include the spread of
drug-resistant microorganisms from health facilities into the environment.