THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unscientific disposal of sanitary pads and syringes used by diabetics are posting a big threat to city’s water bodies and marine life. According to experts, the underwater reefs that line city’s coast have been covered by sanitary pads, sachets of washing powders and food items. As per Bio medical Waste (management and handling) Act 1998 waste sharps including syringe and blades have to be disinfected and autoclaved or micro waved.
Sanitary pads have to be incinerated. However, this process is not happening in most households in the city. Though waste collected from hospitals are taken to IMA run IMAGE facility in Palakkad for incineration, the biomedical waste being generated in households continue to pose a big challenge. “During the period of June-July when sand bars are open, the waste gets deposited in nets laid for specific crustaceans like lobsters. After getting wet, sanitary napkins submerge and usually form a big chunk of waste that adversely affect habitat of marine reptiles like turtles,” said Robert Panipilla, chief coordinator of Friends of Marine Life.
Though hospitals in city are able to dispose of biomedical waste within 48 hours as per the set norms, PCB engineers have been hauled up in for being mute spectators to dumping of waste. “We have asked government to allot space near Vithura or Palode for setting up IMAGE bio medical waste management facility. Most hospitals are now on board,” said Dr Anandarajan C.R. who is the district representative of IMAGE.
