‘Dump biomedical waste only at common facility’

According to a press release, the Collector said, “Nowadays, there are reported violations in the provision of biomedical waste rules by dumping waste at various places either on land or waterbodies which poses severe health problems. It is the duty of the occupier of the facility to have in-house treatment for liquid waste and to hand over segregated waste as per schedule-I to the CBMWTF for treatment, processing and final disposal.”

Based on complaints by the public, TNPCB officials have inspected sites and in cleaning the area by transporting the medical waste to the facilities for disposal. They are also taking action against errant healthcare facilities, the release added.

If the healthcare facilities repeat by dumping the medical waste in public places and waterbodies, as per the Environment (Protection) Act,1986, closure and disconnection of power supply shall be affected to the facilities concerned and the facility shall be liable to pay compensation for all damages caused to the environment and to the public, the release further stated.

There is a treatment plant outside the city to treat liquid waste in hospitals which will be collected by the concerned authorities.

They, however, are usually found to construct a concrete block in the institution in which the hazardous waste is collected.