← All Posts


Why are Biomedical Wastes Dangerous?

contamination-4286704 640
Biomedical wastes are the wastes coming from diagnostic procedures, treatments of disease or condition, or immunizations of humans and animals. It can also include the waste created from research activities that involve biological testing. In other words, it is any waste incurred from any type of material that may have been contaminated with hypothetically infectious properties.

These properties can usually be found in syringes used to deliver chemotherapy drugs and medications or used to extract bodily fluids. These can also be found in bandages, bedding, or any clothing that is contaminated with any body fluids of an infected person with a communicable disease. So, these biomedical wastes are dangerous, especially when not handled well. Let us get to know why these wastes are considered threatening.

 Impact of biomedical wasteImproper segregation of biomedical waste can trigger a domino-like effect on the environment which can also, later on, threaten human health. Let us know how it would impact:the environmentimproper disposal and segregation of biomedical waste can contaminate groundwater sources, which may also infect humans and even the animals as well. Also, if there is no proper storage, the tendency is that rodents, birds, stray animals, and even humans could easily access the medical wastes and potentially can become a carrier of virus and pathogens which may cause diseases. Also, if these biomedical wastes like radioactive particles are not properly contained, incinerated, or segregated this could also pollute the air we breathe with dangerous airborne particles.

Air pollutants scatter over different inhabited areas will also trigger a lot of illnesses. Human health as aforementioned, the impact of biomedical waste is like a domino effect. When it affects the environment, it would most probably have a damaging effect on human health. If not disposed of properly, this could end up with the contamination of bacteria thus causing infecting a large group of people or causing an epidemic. It could also increase the risk of contracting Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV once individual punctures or pricks from a contaminated sharp. So, you see, biomedical wastes are indeed a threat not only to the environment but also to human health as well. Therefore, these wastes must be disposed of properly and securely to avoid its dangerous impact on the environment and human health.