COMPOSITION AND QUANTITY OF MEDICAL WASTE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Medical waste is generated in healthcare institutions and can be of different types.  According to its properties, it can be classified as hazardous medical waste or non-hazardous medical waste. Due to its potentially dangerous properties, it is necessary to manage medical waste in accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Act (1) and the Ordinance on Medical Waste Management (2).

In the period from 2015 to 2019, the amount of medical waste grew annually by an average of 8%. In 2020, 7,014 tons of medical waste were generated, of which 74% was hazardous and 26% was non-hazardous medical waste. Compared to 2019, this is an increase of 28%, which can be attributed to the increased consumption of medical products due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of hazardous medical waste increased by 18%, and the amount of non-hazardous medical waste by 67%.

The aim of this work was to investigate the differences in the amount, composition and treatment of medical waste in the pre-pandemic and pandemic period during the COVID-19 in health care institutions of the Split-Dalmatia County.

The increased use of additional protective equipment during the work of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caused the generation of three times more infectious waste. The paper highlights the importance of proper handling, collection, processing and disposal of infectious medical waste in order to prevent direct or indirect transmission of infection and harmful effects on human and/or animal health.