Medical waste goes missing

2004-05-09 16:43

Craig Bishop

Pietermaritzburg - Almost half of KwaZulu-Natal's medical waste is unaccounted for, and is finding its way into illegal dumps, where scavengers sort through the toxic waste.

There is also not one incinerator in the province that meets the legal requirements for the incineration of medical waste.

These were just some of the shocking facts released by Pietermaritzburg-based green activist organisation groundWork.

Addressing hospital workers, groundWork's Llewellyn Leonard said that about 200 tons of medical waste finds its way into illegal dumpsites, many in residential areas.

Studies have shown that the incineration of medical waste releases two toxic pollutants, dioxins and furans, which have been associated with a variety of health problems, including the disruption of the body's hormonal, immune and reproductive systems.

Under the internationally-binding Stockholm Convention, which South Africa ratified in 2002, the government is committed to reducing pollutants. However, many rural hospitals continue to openly burn their waste in on-site pits.

"At present, the KZN department of health does not have one incinerator that meets the legal requirements for the disposal of medical waste due to government's failure to monitor and enforce laws governing incineration," Leonard said.

He said groundWork has resorted to taking government to court in an attempt to have the Ixopo incinerator shut down. Audit reports show that the incinerator failed to meet health and safety conditions.

These included exceeding emission levels prescribed, as well as failing to meet the required temperature to prevent the release of certain chemicals, such as dioxins, into the environment.

The incinerator is located in the middle of a primary dairy area.

Suggested alternatives to incineration include steam sterilisation, or autoclaving, microwaving and bio-chemical methods.

- The Witness