TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY WASTE

There are no entirely satisfactory definitions of clinical waste; nor are there methods in general use that are safe and environmentally acceptable for the storage, transport and final disposal of the ever-increasing volume of such waste that is generated by the health services. Hazardous, potentially infectious and aesthetically objectionable waste has been found on beaches and exposed on domestic refuse landfill sites causing public disquiet about health hazards and environmental pollution. Landfill is officially discouraged, where not illegal, and many older-type incinerators can not now be used because their effluent pollutes the atmosphere. Modern and efficient incinerators are expensive and the parochial nature of health service management and accounting mitigates against their installation and use. Laboratory waste, however, can be rendered safe and unobjectionable, aesthetically and environmentally, if the requirements and recommendations of the several Codes of Practice and technical advice, which are simple and inexpensive, are implemented by laboratory and hospital managers.