PATHWAYS TO SCIENTOMETRIC BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN COVID-19 ERA

Abstract

Biomedical waste management (BMW) is in the spotlight due to the enormous impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic on public health and hospitals. Further, countries with large populationsgenerate significantly higher amounts and variety of both hazardous and non-hazardous BMW,leading to a need for a comprehensive strategy for effective BMW management. The improper,unscientific disposal of BMW causes environmental pollution and presents a continuing,significant health hazard to the individual and the community. The present study provides acomprehensive assessment of the various types of BMW generated and critiques their currentdisposal strategies. A detailed appraisal of current, in-place BMW management guidelines fromvarious world organisations is presented, and emerging protocols for BMW disposal during theongoing COVID-19 pandemic are assessed. Finally, new state-of-the-art technologies, which canlead to breakthrough improvements in various stages of BMW generation, collection, treatmentand disposal process, are examined. The secondary applications of BMW are highlighted, andrecommendations for enhancing the BMW lifecycle practices are presented.