Disciplining disposal

HOSPITALS, clinics and other institutions
where bio-medical wastes are leading to
environmental and health hazards, will
have to adhere to clear-cut guidelines in
the future on waste disposal methods.
The ministry of environment an d forests
is giving the final touches to a notification regarding proper disinfection,
treatment and disposal of bio - medical
wastes from hospitals, clinics, research
institutes, laboratories and ,,laughter
houses. The notification was set in
motion after the recent Supreme Court
directiv'e to the Central government to
instal incinerators in all hospitals and
nursing homes in New Delhi, with more
than 50 beds. The ministry had issued
draft rules in April 1995 and is making
final changes in its annexures tollowing
suggestions and recommendations
made by various hospitals.

The rules, known as the Bio-Medical
Wastes (Management and Handling)
Rules, 1995, which were issued tinder
various sections of the Environment
Protection Act, 1986, make it essential
for the organisations to prepare bi-
annual reports, keep regular records and
make annual returns in order to track
these wastes. It will be mandatory for all
institutions to segregate the wastes at the
place of its generation. The rules also
provide the blueprint for the types
of containers to be used, colour coding
and labelling.