Zeitschrift für Umweltverschmutzungseffekte und -kontrolle
Offener Zugang

Abstrakt

Perceived risk of community residents towards healthcare waste

Sulata Karki

Statement of problem: Healthcare waste management is a serious issue in context of developing countries. Illegal dumping of healthcare waste is commonly practiced, where children are at high risk of exposure to blood borne viruses. Open burning and inadequate incineration of medical waste is still practiced causing adverse health effects due to the release of highly toxic fumes, as well as contributing to global warming. Better assessment of both risks and effects of exposure would permit improvements in the management of healthcare waste.