Bio-medical waste means any waste which is generated or has been used in the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pretaining thereto, in the production or testing of biologicals, or which may contain infectious agents and may pose a substantial threat to health.

What is Bio-medical Waste?

• Biomedical waste includes:
•     Human anatomical waste, consisting of tissues, organs or body parts not including teeth, hair or nails;
•     Human blood
•     Animal waste consisting of all carcasses, tissues, organs, body parts or bedding, where the animal is being               treated for or is suspected of being infected with one or more pathogenic agents
•     Animal blood waste that is from or related to an animal that is being treated for or is suspected of being infected       with one or more of the pathogenic agents
•     Human and animal cultures
•     Sharps including needles, needles attached to syringes and blades
•     Broken glass or materials capable of causing punctures or cuts and which have come into contact with human           blood or body fluid or in contact with animal blood or animal fluid.
•     Cytotoxic drugs which include drugs possessing a specific destructive action designed specifically to destroy             certain cells. Biomedical waste is generated by human or animal health care facilities, medical research and             teaching establishments, health care teaching establishments, clinical testing or research laboratories,                     professional offices of doctors, dentists, veterinaries, mortuaries, funeral establishments and from mobile health       care activities.   

Who is at Risk?

•     Staff
•     Patients
•     Community
•     General public

Due to the many risks associated with biomedical waste it is  necessary to provide adequate and practical guidance too all facilities that transport, store, treat and dispose of biomedical waste to ensure that the waste is properly managed to protect health care workers, waste haulers, environmental service workers and the general public Prior to transportation biomedical waste storage containers should be locked or closed such that biomedical waste is not released or discharged during transportation whether inside or outside the facility.

Management of Biomedical Waste

Biomedical waste should be segregated from the general waste stream to ensure the special handling and treatment required for this waste Persons handling biomedical waste should always use personal protective equipment. Sharps should be placed into a rigid and puncture-resistant leak-proof container dedicated specifically for that purpose. Other biomedical waste should be segregated into either a plastic bag or rigid container with a well fitted lid and labeled biomedical waste. All biomedical waste containers should be colour coded in red or yellow and clearly marked as containing biomedical wasteStore all biomedical waste in a designated biomedical waste storage area. Human anatomical and animal anatomical waste should be stored at a temperature at or below 4 degrees Celsius. Prior to transportation biomedical waste storage containers should be locked or closed such that biomedical waste is not released or discharged during transportation whether inside or outside the facility.