Medical waste dumped in yard
2009-11-28 22:39
Johannesburg - Tons of highly infectious raw medical waste have been unearthed in the back yard of a brick factory in Welkom, Free State, the Sunday Times reported.
The 300 ton stash, which includes bloody swabs, body parts, filthy bandages, used needles vials and discarded pills was found buried, making it the Green Scorpions biggest medical waste discovery to date.
The dumping breaks waste management laws and poses serious health risks including ground water and bore-hole contamination, and the spread of hepatitis and HIV.
The countries biggest waste management company, Wasteman, which boasts multimillion-rand contract, with more than 150 hospitals and clinics is being probed.
The Green Scorpions raided the brick factory on Friday.
Officials in Durban also discovered waste, including anatomical waste - dated November 17, which by law should have long since been destroyed.
The maximum penalty for illegally dumping medical waste is R10m.
- SAPA