How to dispose of bio-medical waste CPCB has issued a guideline on how to dispose of the waste generated by confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients

Subhajoy Roy, TT, 25.03.20, Calcutta: People who have been advised home quarantine to prevent the spread Covid-19 must follow the proper way of disposal of used masks, gloves and tissues, public health experts have said.

Family members who disinfect objects touched by quarantined persons, too, must strictly abide by the rules.

The Central Pollution Control Board has issued a guideline on how to dispose of the waste generated by confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients.

The guideline says bio-medical waste generated by the people in home quarantine must be collected separately in yellow bags. A doctor working in the field of public health said bio-medical waste comprises masks, gloves and tissues used by quarantined persons because those can spread infection if not disposed of properly.

The guideline says urban local bodies — municipal corporations or municipalities — should appoint agencies with experience in handling biomedical waste to pick up waste from homes or collection points.

But officials of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) said on Tuesday evening they were to yet appoint any such agency. “We will take necessary steps soon,” an official said.

“I do not think those in home quarantine are aware that they cannot throw away used masks, tissues and gloves without taking protections. While handing over the waste, they should tell collectors that a particular bag contains bio-medical waste,” a public health professional said.

A statement by the health department said 21,369 people were under home surveillance across Bengal on Tuesday. A number of them are in Calcutta, said a CMC official.

A guideline issued by the ministry of health earlier this month said “masks used by patients/care givers/close contacts during home care should be disinfected using ordinary bleach solution (5%) or sodium hypochlorite solution (1%) and then disposed of either by burning or deep burial”. It added that “used mask should be considered as potentially infected”.

It adds: “Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the quarantined person’s room (e.g. bed frames, tables etc.) daily with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution.”