A bomb is ticking on biomedical
waste heap in Madhya Pradesh, as at least 22,071 kilograms of hazardous waste
are being dumped in the open without treatment in the state every year. As per
Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, if not handled
properly, this waste is a potent source of life-threatening diseases like AIDS,
tuberculosis, hepatitis and other bacterial ailments. Those handling this
hazardous dump live in fear of being pricked by syringe needles carrying the
illness. Then, there is no record of liquid biomedical waste like blood flowing
directly from hospitals into sewage lines that run the risk of polluting
potable water source.