Health Hazards Associated with Hospital Waste

According to Park (2005), exposure to hazardous health care waste and result in the spread of disease or injury e.g.

a.     Hazards from Infection Waste and Sharps.

Pathogens in infectious waste may enter the human body through a penetration, abrasions or cut in the skin, through mucous membrane by inhalation or by ingestion. There is a particular concern about infection with HIV and hepatitis virus A and C for which there is a strong evidence of transmission via health care waste. Bacteria resistance to antibiotics and chemical disinfectants may also contribute to the hazards created by poor waste management like diarrhoea, etc. associated with contact of body fluid and other forms of hospital waste at work. Also sharp objects can result to injury or accident.

b.   Hazard from Chemical and Pharmaceutical Waste

Many of the chemical and pharmaceutical products used in the hospital establishments are toxic, corrosive, flammable, genotoxic, reactive, explosive or shock sensitive. Although present in small quality, they may cause intoxication either by particularly important members of the group.

c.   Hazard from Radioactive Waste

The type of disease caused by radioactive waste is usually determined by the type and extent of exposure. It can range from headache, dizziness and vomiting and other serious problems because it is genotoxic. It may also affect the genetic material.

Reference

Park K. (2005). Prevention and Social Medicine (18^th Ed.), India: Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers.