Where Do We Get Biomedical Waste?
11/30/2021
Healthcare undertakings help the sick and save people whose lives are at risk. However, what happens to the by-products and waste these activities produce?
Out of all the waste created by healthcare undertakings, approximately 85 percent are non-hazardous waste while the rest consist of hazardous materials, which can be radioactive, toxic, and infectious.
Sources of Biomedical Waste
The primary sources of biomedical waste are the following:
• Autopsy centers
• Blood banks
• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Nursing homes
• Research Centers
Waste Disposal
The disposal of biomedical waste is essential because it may carry dangerous pathogens and diseases that harm the public. There are different methods of biomedical waste disposal, some of which are as follows:
• Autoclaving – This refers to steam sterilization which uses extremely hot steam for a certain period to kill microorganisms.
• Chemical disinfection – The use of chlorine to sanitize liquid waste is a standard method in chemical disinfection.
• Incineration – Unlike autoclaving, incineration completely removes waste and kills microorganisms. However, burning biomedical waste may generate dangerous emissions.
• Microwaving – This process involves shredding waste, mixing it with water, and heating it internally to kill all harmful elements.
There are different ways to eliminate biomedical waste, and incineration is the common method used. However, the other methods mentioned may be more environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is vital to know the pros and cons of each method before applying them for everyone's safety.
Out of all the waste created by healthcare undertakings, approximately 85 percent are non-hazardous waste while the rest consist of hazardous materials, which can be radioactive, toxic, and infectious.
Sources of Biomedical Waste
The primary sources of biomedical waste are the following:
• Autopsy centers
• Blood banks
• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Nursing homes
• Research Centers
Waste Disposal
The disposal of biomedical waste is essential because it may carry dangerous pathogens and diseases that harm the public. There are different methods of biomedical waste disposal, some of which are as follows:
• Autoclaving – This refers to steam sterilization which uses extremely hot steam for a certain period to kill microorganisms.
• Chemical disinfection – The use of chlorine to sanitize liquid waste is a standard method in chemical disinfection.
• Incineration – Unlike autoclaving, incineration completely removes waste and kills microorganisms. However, burning biomedical waste may generate dangerous emissions.
• Microwaving – This process involves shredding waste, mixing it with water, and heating it internally to kill all harmful elements.
There are different ways to eliminate biomedical waste, and incineration is the common method used. However, the other methods mentioned may be more environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is vital to know the pros and cons of each method before applying them for everyone's safety.