Team Herald
PANJIM: The Expert Committee on Biomedical Waste has decided to recommend that the government phase out mercury-based equipment from hospitals, health care units, laboratories by 2020, thereby switching over to digital equipments.
This was decided during the first meeting of the Expert Committee, headed by chairman Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Jose Manuel Noronha, held on Monday. The recommendation comes following the observation that mercury contamination in medical waste is hazardous for health.
Noronha said, “The equipment can be replaced by digital equipment. Mercury being a heavy metal, it is a health hazard, especially when it contaminates with medical waste.” The equipment includes thermometers, blood pressure systems, dental equipment and others.
Noronha also said that the Committee has resolved to hold training programmes for health care facility staffers on segregation of biomedical waste. In another decision, the Committee directed the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to speed up allocation of 10,000 sq mts of land for setting up of Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility.
Meanwhile, a Karnataka based firm – Rio Green Environ – has approached the Board with the proposal to take care of State’s biomedical waste, until a proper facility is set up.
“We have directed the firm to obtain no objection certificate from Karnataka pollution control board and then approach us,” Noronha said.
