CPCB issues guidelines to handle COVID-19 treatment wastes
On April 20, 2020, the Central Pollution Control Board has issued guidelines to manage waste generated during treatment of COVID-19 patients. The guidelines are to be followed by sample collection centres, isolation wards, quarantine centres and also by all biomedical waste treatment facilities and disposal facilities. These guidelines have been issued to supplement Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Highlights of the Guidelines
- The Heath care facilities with isolation wards need to use color coded bins to collect the medical waste. They should stick to the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Isolation wards should use double layered bags to collect biomedical wastes.
- A dedicated bin labelled “COVID-19 Waste” should be used. These bins should be kept separately and should be disinfected with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite solution.
Clarifications
The CPCB has clarified that quarantines are places where the suspected cases of quarantine homes and quarantine camps are placed. The wastes collected from these places are to be disposed under Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
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Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020