Beyond Hospitals: Other Sources of Biomedical Waste

Let us now take a closer look at where this waste originates and what it consists of. Biomedical waste doesn't just come from hospitals — it is generated across a wide range of healthcare settings, from large medical institutions to small clinics and even home-based care.

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Depending on the type of facility and the nature of medical procedures performed, the volume and kind of waste can vary greatly. In this article, we will explore the primary and secondary sources of bio-medical waste and examine its key components, some of which pose serious health and environmental risks.

As mentioned, biomedical waste originates from a variety of healthcare settings, which can be broadly classified into two categories: primary and secondary sources. The primary sources include private and government general hospitals, maternity hospitals, clinics of general practitioners, medical colleges, veterinary colleges and hospitals, blood banks, pathology labs, animal houses affiliated with research labs (mostly located in pharmaceutical industries), etc. Blood donation camps, dental clinics, domestic healthcare practices, primary healthcare centers, educational institutions, industrial healthcare centres, AYUSH hospitals, etc., are considered secondary sources. The type and quantity of the waste depend on the sources of generation.

Composition of biomedical waste