Impact of Biomedical Waste on Environment and Human health

Abstract

Biomedical waste (BMW), if not managed properly, will pose significant environmental and health impact. Healthcare establishments have particular responsibilities with respect to the wastes they generate however, the impact of biomedical waste has not been given significant attention. Negligence in biomedical waste management contributes to environmental pollution, sickness of humans/animals, and depletes natural as well as financial resources. Poor handling of BMW pose health hazard to the hospital staff, rag-pickers, municipal workers and the community. This review focuses on impact of BMW on the environmental parameters such as water, air, soil and on human health.