BIO-MEDICAL WASTE

Suhas Dixit,
CMD, Pyrocrat Systems
Waste are Biomedical Wastes?
Wastes which are generated during the
diagnosis, treatment or immunization of
human beings or animals or in research
activities are termed as biomedical
wastes.
Hospitals, health clinics, nursing
homes, medical research laboratories,
veterinarians, and funeral homes are the
common sources that produce biomedical
wastes.
Hazards of Biochemical Wastes
Can lead to spreading of diseases like
cholera, typhoid, hepatitis etc.
Radioactive wastes can cause headache,
vomiting, dizziness, DNA damage,
carcinogenesis and other serious issues.
Poor handling of needles, blades etc. can
cause injuries
Air, water and land pollution
 Categorization of biomedical Waste
Waste Contents
Anatomical Waste Human Tissues, Organs, Body Parts
Animal Waste Animal Tissues, Organs, Carcasses, Bleeding Parts,
Fluids, Blood
Microbiological and Wastes From Lab Cultures,Vaccines, Toxins, Animal Cell
Biotechnical Waste Cultures
Waste Sharps Needles, Syringes, Scalpels, Blades Etc.
Discarded Medicines Outdated, Contaminated Medicines
Soiled Waste Contaminated Cotton, Linen, Dressings, Soiled Plaster
Casts, Beddings Etc.
Solid Waste Generated From Disposables Other Than Sharps Such
As Tubings, Catheters, I.V. Sets
Liquid Waste Generated From Laboratory And Washing, Cleaning,
And Disinfecting Activities
Incineration Ash Ash From Incineration Of Biomedical Waste
Chemical Waste Insecticides, Disinfectant
Segregation of Biomedical Wastes
Segregation is the process of separating of
waste into different streams and the
treatment of each stream to ensure
complete sterilization and recycling.
Segregation shall be done at point of
generation.
Non-infectious and infectious wastes
must always be kept separate.
Benefits of Segregation
Segregation helps in reducing:
1. Total treatment cost.
2. Impacts of waste on community.
3. Chances of infecting healthcare workers.
Biomedical Waste Classification
General Waste
Pathological
Radioactive
Chemical
Infectious waste
Sharps
Pharmaceuticals
Pressurized containers
Biomedical Waste Treatment
Incineration
Combustion of waste is carried out under controlled
conditions and is converted into inert material and
gases.

There are three types of incinerators

Multiple hearth type
Rotary kiln
Controlled air types.

These incinerators can have primary and secondary

combustion chambers to achieve optimal
combustion.
Autoclave
The autoclave works similarly as a pressure
cooker where steam penetrates into waste
material, thus killing the micro-organisms.
Autoclaves are of three categories; Gravity
type, Pre-vacuum type and Retort type.

Conditions:
Temperature-121C
Holding time-15 min.
Pressure-15 pounds per sq.inch.
Microwave
The waste is subjected to microwave
radiations which causes the molecules of
the material to heat up, thereby killing the
pathogens.
Waves with Frequency of about 3000
MHz are used to destroy micro-
organisms.
Heat is produced at 95-100 C for a
holding period of 25 to 30 minutes.
Hot Air Oven
In this method the oven is electrically
heated. A fan is used for adequate
distribution of hot air in the chamber.
A Thermostat is used to maintain a
temperature of chamber at temperature
of 160C for a period of 2 hours.
Mechanical Treatment
The bulk of biomedical waste is
processed in order to change its physical
form to facilitate waste management.
The common methods implied are
Compacting and Shredding.
Biological processes
Biological enzymes can be used
decontaminate the waste or even to
cause the destruction of all the organic
constituents.
Hence only inerts like plastics, glass, and
other inert remain in the residues.
Inertization
Biomedical waste is mixed with cement
and other substances before disposal to
make them inert.
This prevents toxic substances in waste
from contaminating the ground or
surface water.
The mixture constitutes 65 % waste, 15 %
lime, 15 % cement and 5 % water.
Land Disposal
Sanitary landfills can be used to dispose
biomedical waste.
The site must have
Full or partial hydrogeological isolation.
Appropriate engineering preparations.
Trained staff should supervise its functioning.
Planned waste emplacement and covering:
waste should be spread in layers and
compacted.
Thank You