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Impacts of Healthcare Waste

POST 7
It is common knowledge that waste is harmful to the surroundings if not properly disposed of. Just like toxic and chemical waste, biomedical waste affects the surroundings.

What is biomedical waste?

Biomedical waste comprises of any waste substance created during diagnostic processes, treatment of diseases, or human and animal immunization. Additionally, biological testing processes generate biomedical waste.

In short, biomedical waste is generated from healthcare-related activities. It contains materials used in healthcare processes that may be considered infectious.
These infectious materials can be derived from chemotherapy, syringes, contaminated bandages, beddings, or clothes. These materials may be contaminated with bodily fluids or blood from an infected person.

The impact of biomedical waste

If not properly segregated, biomedical waste can trigger a ripple effect on one’s surroundings. This effect poses a great danger to human and animal life, water sources, and soil.
Improperly segregated waste can contaminate groundwater sources. This will, in turn, affect human and animal life. Waste products from healthcare facilities should, therefore, be segregated appropriately through proper labeling and placing them in the appropriate containers.

If nor properly contained, it may slowly get into the environment through human activities, rodents, or birds. This waste will pollute the air, soil, and water sources. Pollution will lead to disease outbreaks and degradation of the environment.
Biomedical waste can lead to the spread of diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis, lung infections, and skin infections.

Final Thoughts

Biomedical waste comprises waste materials generated in healthcare facilities. It is equally harmful to the surrounding, just like chemical wastes. Therefore, to protect the environment from the harmful effects of waste, proper waste segregation should be promoted.