CLOSE

Specials

I agree We use cookies on this website to enhance your user experience. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. More info

healthcarebusinessreview
US
EUROPE
APAC

About us

  • Home
  • Contributors
  • News
  • Conferences
  • Newsletter
  • Magazine
×
#

Healthcare Business Review Weekly Brief

Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Healthcare Business Review

Subscribe

loading

Thank you for Subscribing to Healthcare Business Review Weekly Brief

  • Home
  • News

Recommended picks

Key Advantages of Proper Medical Waste Management

Steps Involved In Treatment of the Biomedical Waste

Key Advantages of Medical Equipment at Home

Important Features And Benefits Of Pharmacy System In Medical Industry

Impact of Plastic on the Medical Industry

Key Benefits of Medical Billing Software

An Introduction to Medical Practice Management (MPM) Software

Five Simple Ways to Reduce your Medical Waste

Key Advantages of Proper Medical Waste Management

Steps Involved In Treatment of the Biomedical Waste

Key Advantages of Medical Equipment at Home

Important Features And Benefits Of Pharmacy System In Medical Industry

Impact of Plastic on the Medical Industry

Key Benefits of Medical Billing Software

An Introduction to Medical Practice Management (MPM) Software

Five Simple Ways to Reduce your Medical Waste

Key Challenges Facing Hazardous Medical Waste Management

Healthcare Business Review | Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Tweet

Medical waste management is a challenge for healthcare facilities all over the world; trash disposal accounts for 10-20 percent of a facility's annual budget. According to the WHO, around 85 percent of all waste generated is non-hazardous, while the remaining 15 percent is infectious, poisonous, or radioactive.


Fremont, CA: While non-hazardous medical waste poses fewer issues, the risks and challenges of hazardous medical waste management must be carefully considered, as incineration or open burning of dangerous medical waste can result in hazardous pollutants such as dioxins and furans being released into the atmosphere.


As a result, steps must be taken to ensure the proper disposal of hazardous medical waste, particularly in developing countries, to avoid harmful environmental or biological consequences.


Health Hazards


Because of the toxic bacteria, biologically hazardous waste can be a source of illness; those most at risk are hospital patients, hospital employees, and health workers. The scenario, however, has the potential to be damaging to the broader public. Chemical burns, air pollution, radiation burns, and toxic exposure to dangerous pharmaceutical products and compounds, such as mercury or dioxins, are all possible hazards, particularly during the trash incineration process.


 


Environmental Consequences


Inadequate disposal of untreated medical waste in landfills can contaminate drinking and groundwater and release hazardous chemical substances into the environment. Bad garbage incineration can also discharge harmful chemicals into the air and produce dioxins and furans, which have been related to cancer and other health problems. In addition, the incineration of heavy metals can result in the release of harmful metals into the environment.


The Road Ahead


There is still a long way to go before hazardous healthcare waste can be safely disposed of. Only 58 percent of studied institutions in 24 countries have suitable medical waste disposal systems, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF study done in 2015.


It is critical to develop awareness and promote self-practices in the workplace. Infection control and clinical waste management training are essential to maintain a clean, safe workplace for both patients and employees. Industrial cleaning using specialized equipment can also help to reduce the risk of infection.


It's also critical to create safe ways and technologies for treating hazardous medical waste, rather than relying on ineffective and risky medical waste incineration. For example, microwaving or autoclaving are two alternatives to cremation that considerably limit the production of dangerous pollutants.


Another critical step is to build worldwide strategies and mechanisms to improve healthcare waste segregation.


Weekly Brief

loading
Top 10 Medical Waste Management Service Companies - 2021
> <
  • Healthcare Facilities Management 2022

    Top Vendors

    Current Issue
  • Healthcare Bpo 2022

    Top Vendors

    Current Issue
  • Veterinary Solution 2022

    Top Vendors

    Current Issue
  • Healthcare Executive Search 2022

    Top Vendors

    Current Issue

Read Also

Five Healthcare Marketing Trends to Watch out for in 2022

Five Healthcare Marketing Trends to Watch out for in 2022

Solv Demonstrates its Commitment to Healthcare Price Transparency with ClearPrice Launch

Solv Demonstrates its Commitment to Healthcare Price Transparency with ClearPrice Launch

Key Medication Management Challenges Facing Healthcare Administrators

Key Medication Management Challenges Facing Healthcare Administrators

Key Trends Transforming the Facets of the Medical Device Industry

Key Trends Transforming the Facets of the Medical Device Industry
Key Challenges Healthcare Supply Chains Faced during the Pandemic?

Key Challenges Healthcare Supply Chains Faced during the Pandemic?

Overjet Obtains U.S. Patent for its Revolutionary AI Technology Enabling Accurate Measurements on Dental X-rays

Overjet Obtains U.S. Patent for its Revolutionary AI Technology Enabling Accurate Measurements on Dental X-rays

Must-Have Features of An Effective Healthcare Compliance Plan

Must-Have Features of An Effective Healthcare Compliance Plan

Effective Tips to Improve Mental Health

Effective Tips to Improve Mental Health
Loading...

Copyright © 2022 Healthcare Business Review . All rights reserved. |  Subscribe follow on linkedin

This content is copyright protected

However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the link below:

https://www.healthcarebusinessreview.com/news/key-challenges-facing-hazardous-medical-waste-management--nwid-437.html