Waste zone in Timergara. Zia-ur-Rehman, Head of Sanitation and Labour for MSF in Timergara, and Zubair, a sanitation labourer, shovel glass waste that was collected from various departments of the Timergara DHQ hospital in the sharp pit on the 6th of December, 2020. © Khaula Jamil/MSF
Zubair, an MSF sanitation labourer, does his rounds collecting waste from various departments at the DHQ hospital, Timergara, on the 6th of December, 2020. © Khaula Jamil/MSF
- Chemical Risks
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Skin exposure to contaminants like pesticides, oils, and acids
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Inhalation of hazardous chemicals, incomplete combustion products, dust, and asbestos fibres
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Ingestion of contaminated surface or groundwater, potentially containing organics, heavy metals, and volatile compounds
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Nuisance odours from chemical decomposition in waste
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- Biological Risks
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Contact or ingestion of faecal matter, bodily fluids, or healthcare waste
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Disease transmission by animal vectors like rats, mosquitoes, and flies attracted to waste
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Nuisance from insects, birds, and rodents feeding on waste
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- Physical Risks
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Building and waste pile collapses
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Cuts and abrasions from sharp objects in waste
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Uncontrolled fires in waste piles
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Vehicle accidents during waste transportation and dumping
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Nuisance from smoke and wind-blown litter
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- Local Environmental Risks
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Soil contamination by waste harmful to health
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Release of hazardous substances into water resources
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Landfill gas emissions from decomposing organic waste
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Air pollution from combustion of hazardous waste
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Infestation by rodents and insects
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Windblown and wave-transported litter affecting the environment
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Common Risks Associated with Disaster Waste
Bags of waste collected and brought back to the waste sorting point of Lebo 1 health area, Biyela health zone, east of Kinshasa. The collection and recycling of plastic waste, set up by MSF in collaboration with community management committees, aims to reduce the prevalence of parasitic diseases such as malaria in the Biyela health zone because the piles of waste constitute a preferred environment for the development and proliferation of mosquito larvae. © Augustin Mudiayi/MSF
Regulatory Guidelines for Effective Waste Management
In all circumstances, including disaster scenarios, adherence to basic waste management regulations is crucial. Here are some fundamental rules to follow:
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Equipment Management
Select, use, maintain, and repair health-related equipment carefully to minimize hazardous waste generation.
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Handling Expired Products
Never utilize expired substances, especially medicines, unless authorized by the manufacturer or a specialized body after testing. Expired products, such as insecticides, should only be used for training purposes under proper supervision.
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Risks of Expired Medications
Using medications beyond their expiration date poses significant risks, ranging from reduced efficacy to toxic effects. This is particularly critical for vaccines and antibiotics, as decreased efficacy can lead to false perceptions of safety and the development of antimicrobial resistance.
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Proper Handling of Waste
Avoid errors in the storage, sorting, packaging, transport, and disposal of health- related hazardous waste, as they can have severe environmental and health implications.
Examples include the diversion of medicines or pesticides for illegal resale, improper destruction leading to water or air pollution, and storing incompatible chemicals together, which can generate heat or toxic gases.
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Attention to Hazardous Materials
Antineoplastic medicines and their handling materials are highly toxic and require extreme care during handling and disposal to prevent adverse health and environmental effects.
