[Priyadarshini* et al., 5(9): September, 2016] ISSN: 2277-9655 IC™ Value: 3.00 Impact Factor: 4.116 http: // www.ijesrt.com © International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology [452] IJESRT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE OF MYSURU CITY HOSPITALS Priyadarshini N R*, Srikantaswamy S, Shiva Kumar D, Abhilash M R Department of Studies in Environmental Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysuru-570 006, India DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.154241 ABSTRACT Hospitals generate waste which is chemically hazardous, infectious and often radioactive. Such waste because of inappropriate disposal/treatment strategies contributes to serious health hazards in the community Bio-medical waste (BMW) is generated mainly by health care establishments. The management of Bio-medical waste is still infant all across the world. It consists of Bio-medical waste as well as chemical waste with a portion of solid waste. According MOEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) every hospital generating Bio-medical waste needs to set a requisite treatment facility nearby to ensure degradation of Bio-medical waste as the untreated Bio-medical waste should not be kept beyond 48 hours. The reality is that incinerators don’t eliminate toxic substances, they concentrate them. The primary hazard with incineration is the toxic chemicals in the emissions leaving the stack. In the present study, bottom ash of Mysuru city hospitals was analyzed to determine concentration of the toxic heavy metals and practicing management systems. KEYWORDS:Bio medical waste (BMW), Heavymetals, MOEF, Bottom ash, Hospital. INTRODUCTION Biomedical waste originates from human or animal health care, medical research, medical teaching facilities, funeral establishments, laboratories and other facilities. A portion of that waste stream is infectious or potentially infectious and presents a potential hazard to the public health and the environment. The waste generating by the health care units are termed as medical waste. The hospital waste has always been considered potentially hazardous. The disposal of untreated bio-medical wastes poses an environmental and public health risk. It also presents an occupational health hazards to the health care personnel who handle these wastes at the point of generation, and those involved with their management i.e. segregation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal. The indiscriminate disposal of untreated wastes is the causes to spread the infectious diseases. Apart from these, a good amount of bio-medical wastes such as disposable syringes, Saline bottles, fluid bottles etc. etc. are picked up by the rag pickers and are recycled back into the market without any disinfection. It is imperative, therefore, to adopt appropriate system for the safe collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of the hospital wastes. Realizing the seriousness of the problems associated with the poor management of the bio-medical wastes, the Govt. of India had notified the Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules in the years 1998 in order to regulate the environmental menace due to mismanagement of the hospital waste. Efficient medical waste management is a major problem particularly in India. Waste segregation at the points of generation and their compatibility and reliability issues are the main concern when it comes to current treatment and disposal practices. There is a potential for environmental exposure to toxic emissions from sub-standard incinerators (poor combustion conditions) and nuisance arising from foul stench not leaving out attraction and proliferation of vermin. Even though there is some uncertainty around the degree of risks posed by medical waste, there is rational agreement that illegal and uncontrolled disposal threatens the public health.