Illegal recycling units resurface, public health in peril
The centre of the outbreak of one of the biggest epidemics, Hepatitis B (February-March 2009), was Modasa in north Gujarat. Within a few weeks, nearly 240 people were reported to have been affected by the viral and over 100 succumbed to the disease. The National Institute of Virology, Pune, had identified the disease to be due to a virulent mutant. Statements issued by the health department pointed towards the use of recycled and unsterilised syringes and needles as the mode of transmission of the deadly infection.
The trail of the disease led investigators to a major recycling racket in different parts of the state, including Ahmedabad. It was concluded that the epidemic had been caused by recycled syringes and needles. At that time, the police and health department had raided illegal factories that indulged in recycling of bio-waste. They had seized tonnes of syringes, needles, IV sets and vials. Usually, this type of waste is carefully segregated and destroyed in an incinerator. But the huge quantity of waste found in the godown was being probably repackaged and sold.
Now, eight months later, these bio-waste recycling units are back in business and the health department is doing little to clamp down on them. If immediate action is not taken, the Hepatitis B epidemic is bound to strike again. It is also a well-known fact that many areas, including Ghoda camp, Dariyapur, Ambapur, Naroda and Bhat village, are involved in recycling and selling of hazardous bio-medical waste. These units purchase bio-medical waste at a very low price from the hospitals and then re-sell it in the market.
The centre of the outbreak of one of the biggest epidemics, Hepatitis B (February-March 2009), was Modasa in north Gujarat. Within a few weeks, nearly 240 people were reported to have been affected by the viral and over 100 succumbed to the disease. The National Institute of Virology, Pune, had identified the disease to be due to a virulent mutant. Statements issued by the health department pointed towards the use of recycled and unsterilised syringes and needles as the mode of transmission of the deadly infection.
The trail of the disease led investigators to a major recycling racket in different parts of the state, including Ahmedabad. It was concluded that the epidemic had been caused by recycled syringes and needles. At that time, the police and health department had raided illegal factories that indulged in recycling of bio-waste. They had seized tonnes of syringes, needles, IV sets and vials. Usually, this type of waste is carefully segregated and destroyed in an incinerator. But the huge quantity of waste found in the godown was being probably repackaged and sold.
Now, eight months later, these bio-waste recycling units are back in business and the health department is doing little to clamp down on them. If immediate action is not taken, the Hepatitis B epidemic is bound to strike again. It is also a well-known fact that many areas, including Ghoda camp, Dariyapur, Ambapur, Naroda and Bhat village, are involved in recycling and selling of hazardous bio-medical waste. These units purchase bio-medical waste at a very low price from the hospitals and then re-sell it in the market.
