América Noticias: Desechos médicos en el río Chillón son altamente contamintes

Contamination from Hospital Waste in Carabaillo

Overview of Hazardous Hospital Waste

• The waste found at the irrigation canal's edge in Carabaillo is identified as highly dangerous, particularly biological pathogenic waste that has come into contact with patients, including secretions and blood.

• This hazardous waste includes anatomical-pathological remains such as tumors, surgical fluids, blood bags, and sharp objects.

Legal Obligations for Waste Management

• Hospitals are legally required to ensure that their generated waste reaches a landfill through an authorized operator; this responsibility lies with the hospital itself.

• The Global Consortium and Branner is tasked with managing this service for Hospital Unanue and six other medical centers.

Issues in Waste Disposal

• There have been reports of improper disposal where hospital waste did not reach the designated landfill but was instead dumped along the drought margin.

• It is asserted that if proper procedures were followed, all collected waste should arrive at its destination without discrepancies.

Environmental Impact of Improper Disposal

• The improperly disposed waste has contaminated local water sources, posing risks due to potential parasites present in bodily fluids like blood.

• Contaminated water can affect crops and animals consuming it, leading to various diseases primarily affecting digestive health. Fruits exposed to bacteria may also pose health risks.