Biological Laboratory Waste Management

Introduction

The recent development of biological hazard units is precisely made for the prevention and protection of community health. The improvement and advances in scientific knowledge have been needed for the proper disposal of waste management. Waste generated in the laboratory process consists of a variety of wastes, including contaminated culture plates, DNA separating gel, EDTA adding agarose gel, hypodermic needles, scalpels, blades, surgical cottons, gloves, bandages, clothes, discarded medicine and body fluids, human tissues and organs, and chemicals, among others.

Other wastes generated in healthcare settings include radioactive wastes and mercury-containing instruments. These are the most environmentally sensitive healthcare by-products and need greater attention and monitoring (^{Remy, 2001}).

The World Health Organization states that 85% of hospital wastes are non-hazardous, whereas 10% are infectious and 5% are non-infectious but included in hazardous wastes. About 15% to 35% of hospital waste is regulated as infectious waste, depending on the total amount of waste generated (^{Glenn and Garwal, 1999}). These wastes now threaten public health, as healthcare facilities are often located in the heart of cities.

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Improperly managed medical waste can cause dangerous infections and pose a potential threat to the surrounding environment, individuals handling it, and the public. Health and environmental effects, uncertainty regarding regulations, and negative perceptions by waste handlers are some important concerns in healthcare and biological waste management (^{Freeman, 1998}). Globally, this issue has been seriously considered, and appropriate waste management systems are being developed and installed. However, many places face difficulties in implementing these plans in practice.

Biological waste disposal is governed by government agencies and regulations, including private organizations.

At present, there is no available information that describes the actual practice of handling healthcare waste products. The proposed hospital waste management plan is consistent with the Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2000, Ministry of Environment and Forests. Therefore, this study aims to assess biomedical waste handling and treatment in different healthcare settings. Biological waste refers to any waste generated during biological experiments, research activities, production of laboratory products in the industry, and treatment of animal experiments in research laboratories. This includes Microbiology and Biotechnology laboratory waste materials, such as specimens or stock cultures of microorganisms, expired biological reagents, laboratory-contaminated or old cultures, and discarded culture media.

Aims and Objectives

• Develop knowledge and skills related to laboratory waste management and its associated problems.
• Influence students, laboratory, and technical staff on the proper disposal, reduction, reuse, composting, and recycling of laboratory waste.
• Reduce the rate of improper waste management and the spread of diseases in laboratories and the environment.
• Enhance the protection and conservation of public health, the environment, and natural resources.

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out in universities and colleges in Bardhaman district, a remote sensing area in West Bengal, from May 2017 to July 2018. The study subjects included laboratory management, technicians, attendants, and laboratory cleaning staff. Bardhaman is situated at a latitude of 23.45°N and a longitude of 87.61°E, connecting four district borders in Hooghly, Bankura, Birbhum, Midnapur, and Bihar. Interviews and observations were conducted among laboratory management, technicians, and attendants, and data were collected and analyzed.

The following methods were followed for this work:

1. Collection of data from different sources, including practical laboratory visits in institutes, universities, and colleges.
2. Interviews and discussions with laboratory and technical staff to collect biological waste material data.
3. Referencing books, articles, research works, journals, and discussions among laboratory staff, attendants, and technical staff to complete the study.

Results and Discussion

The study was conducted in the remote sensing region of Bardhaman district in West Bengal. A total of 261 subjects were interviewed and discussed with in universities, colleges, and institutions in this region. The distribution of biological waste management is as follows:

The percentage of biological waste management staff is shown in Table 4:

It was interesting to find that knowledge, attitude, and the biological hazard management process were not satisfactory. The study subjects had low-level knowledge, poor training facilities, and a low educational level. Training of both technical and non-technical staff is needed for proper and appropriate management of biological waste. Technical assistants had a better attitude towards waste separation, proper disposal, recycling, and implementing government rules compared to laboratory attendants and cleaning staff.

It was found that 37.16% of the study subjects had proper knowledge about health problems and the toxicity of biological waste to the social environment, while 62.83% had no clear idea about these biohazards. Only 11.87% of the subjects properly reused discarded biological waste, while 88.12% had no idea about reusing discarded waste and lacked clear knowledge of what should be disposed of in a dustbin.

Overall, the study highlights the need for improved education and training in biological waste management among healthcare and laboratory staff to ensure proper disposal, reduce health risks, and protect the environment.

Discussion

Biological waste management requires a systematic process and the involvement of all stakeholders. Establishing a coordinating agency that can provide proper support and guidance is essential. Activities should include reducing the generation of biological waste, decontamination of microbiological culture plates, segregation, reuse, secure handling of waste, and creating awareness about health and safety measures.

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 established a national policy that emphasizes source reduction as the most desirable approach for preventing or reducing pollution. The policy created a new hierarchy for the management of hazardous wastes:

1. Source reduction: Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible.
2. Recycling: Pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible.
3. Treatment: Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible.
4. Disposal: Disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.

Currently, the study found that 71% of biological waste was disposed of, 23% was recovered, and 6% was reused. However, knowledge, attitude, and the biohazard management process were not satisfactory among the study subjects. Therefore, improving education and training in biological waste management is crucial for the proper and safe disposal of waste materials, reducing health risks, and protecting the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the management of biological laboratory waste is of paramount importance for public health and environmental protection. This study has shed light on the current practices and challenges associated with biological waste management in healthcare and laboratory settings in Bardhaman district, West Bengal.

The findings indicate that while there is a significant amount of biological waste generated, there is a lack of proper knowledge, training, and awareness among laboratory staff, attendants, and cleaning personnel. This knowledge gap poses a risk to both the health of individuals handling the waste and the environment.

It is evident that a coordinated approach to biological waste management is required, involving all stakeholders, including technical and non-technical staff, to ensure proper waste segregation, disposal, and recycling. The implementation of government rules and regulations is crucial to minimize the risks associated with biological waste.

Furthermore, this study underscores the need for improved education and training in biological waste management. Efforts should be made to enhance the knowledge and skills of laboratory personnel, attendants, and cleaning staff to promote safe and environmentally friendly waste management practices.

Overall, addressing the challenges identified in this study will contribute to the protection of public health, the preservation of the environment, and the sustainable management of biological laboratory waste in Bardhaman district and beyond.