EHS 519: Biomedical and Special Waste Lecturers: Ms. Olulegan/ Dr. Sawyerr

… This PowerPoint Presentation, as well as many others can be found and downloaded for free at www.slideshare.net/YETUNDEOLULEGAN …

Catching up/ Course expectations and comments 10 MINUTES Catching up/ Course expectations and comments

Course outline Concept/classification/sources of Biomedical and special wastes Health impacts of B/S wastes Handling/Transportation of B/S wastes Waste Management: 3R’s The Role of Legislation in B/S wastes Treatment technologies & Disposal methods Health and safety RULES for personnel and assisted workers Infection control and emergency response Training and retraining modalities for handles of B/S wastes

DEFINITION OF TERMS Special wastes are solid wastes that require special handling and generally are collected, processed recycled and/or disposed of separately from other wastes.

DEFINITION OF TERMS Biomedical waste represents a small proportion (10-15%) of the total volume of waste generated by health care facilities.

DEFINITION OF TERMS Biomedical waste (also referred to as “red bag”, infectious, or bio- hazardous wastes) is generally defined as “infectious and injurious waste originating from a hospital, medical office, veterinary or hospice care facility.”

EXAMPLES OF SPECIAL WASTES Biomedical wastes; Paper and Mill wastes; Agriculture wastes ; White goods; Bulky wastes; Vehicle wastes: Hulks and Auto Fluff; Tires; Industrial Process waste or sludge; Contaminated soils; Ash; Asbestos Animal Carcasses; Disaster Debris;

EXAMPLES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTES Human Anatomical Wastes: Human tissues, organs and body parts but does not include teeth, hair and nails

EXAMPLES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTES Animal Wastes consists of all animal tissues, organs, body parts, carcasses, bedding, fluid blood and blood products, items saturated or dripping with blood, body fluids removed for diagnosis or removed during surgery, treatment or autopsy, unless a trained person has certifies that the waste does not contain certain viruses and agents such as Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Herpsviridae and Poxviridae. This excludes teeth, hair, nails, hooves and feathers

EXAMPLES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTES Microbiology Laboratory Waste: This consists of laboratory cultures, stocks or specimen of microorganisms, live or attenuated vaccines, human or animal cell cultures used in research and laboratory material that has come in contact with any of these

EXAMPLES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTES Human Blood and Body Fluid Waste: This consists of human fluid blood and blood products, items saturated or dripping with blood, body fluids contaminated with blood, and body fluids removed for diagnosis during surgery, treatment or autopsy. This does not include urine or faeces

EXAMPLES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTES Waste Sharps: These are clinical and laboratory materials consisting of needles, syringes, blades, or laboratory glass capable of causing punctures or cuts.

ASSIGNMENT 1. Write short notes on each of the “Risk Group 4” Agents 2. Briefly discuss the relationship between special wastes and Biomedical wastes