What is the Greatest Danger of Medical Waste to Human Health?
9/12/2022
Medical waste poses health hazards to health workers, hospital patients, and the general public. They contain drug-resistant and other harmful microorganisms that can spread from healthcare institutions into the environment.
How harmful can the effects of medical waste get? Let's find out.
Why are Medical Wastes Hazardous?
Medical wastes can release toxins into the air when disposed of improperly, including open-burning. For one, the incineration of these wastes can produce unhealthy amounts of pollutants, including mercury and dioxins.
These pollutants can cling to the air and get carried away miles away, affecting lives and putting the health of many living things at risk.
What are the Wastes Hazardous to Human Health?
While there are medical wastes produced through health care activities that only have similar health risks as regular wastes at home, some types can harm people's health at a high rate. They include the following:
• Broken thermometers
• Cytotoxic waste
• Radioactive waste
• Pharmaceutical waste
• Chemical waste
• Body part waste
• Sharps waste
All these wastes on the list are infectious and must be properly disposed of through a sustainable and adequately planned system.
Aside from the adverse effects that a person can obtain from getting exposed to harmful microorganisms, the wastes and their by-products may also cause the following:
• Wastewater pollution
• Pollution and poisoning due to the improper release of cytotoxic drugs, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical products
• Injuries inflicted by sharps
• Radiation burns
Final thoughts
The improper disposal of medical waste can affect all living things and the environment. They contain harmful microorganisms that need to be managed well to prevent any spread of infectious diseases.
Health workers must know the environmentally sound and safe methods to treat waste, reuse and recycle, and minimize waste production.
How harmful can the effects of medical waste get? Let's find out.
Why are Medical Wastes Hazardous?
Medical wastes can release toxins into the air when disposed of improperly, including open-burning. For one, the incineration of these wastes can produce unhealthy amounts of pollutants, including mercury and dioxins.
These pollutants can cling to the air and get carried away miles away, affecting lives and putting the health of many living things at risk.
What are the Wastes Hazardous to Human Health?
While there are medical wastes produced through health care activities that only have similar health risks as regular wastes at home, some types can harm people's health at a high rate. They include the following:
• Broken thermometers
• Cytotoxic waste
• Radioactive waste
• Pharmaceutical waste
• Chemical waste
• Body part waste
• Sharps waste
All these wastes on the list are infectious and must be properly disposed of through a sustainable and adequately planned system.
What Are the Health Risks that Can be Obtained from the Unmanaged Medical Wastes?
• Wastewater pollution
• Pollution and poisoning due to the improper release of cytotoxic drugs, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical products
• Injuries inflicted by sharps
• Radiation burns
Final thoughts
The improper disposal of medical waste can affect all living things and the environment. They contain harmful microorganisms that need to be managed well to prevent any spread of infectious diseases.
Health workers must know the environmentally sound and safe methods to treat waste, reuse and recycle, and minimize waste production.