Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to Take Strict Action Against Dumping of Biomedical Waste in Public Places

There have been several instances of biomedical waste being strewn in public places, including national highways, where there is less movement of people and traffic at night.

The TNPCB has commenced a detailed inquiry after 200 MT of medical and solid waste was found at Ponniyaman Koil street in Iyyapathangal in Chennai.

According to pollution control board officials, biomedical waste comprises syringes, tubes, tablets, and other medical waste.

Bhaskaran from the Pollution Control Board office in Sriperumbadur told media persons: "We could not find prescription slips or hospital logo on the biomedical waste. We have informed the Iyyappathangal Panchayath officials to direct sanitary workers not to collect biomedical waste from houses that are handed over in small carry bags."

R.M. Arumughasamy, social activist and Director of the Centre for Environmental and Pollution Studies, an NGO based out of Chennai, told IANS: "The Tamil Nadu pollution control board must not shy away from its responsibilities. There has to be stringent dictum on hospitals and clinics that there should not be any dumping of biomedical waste in public places and that they should be destroyed using proper process."

TNPCB member secretary R. Kannan told media persons, "We need the full support and cooperation of local bodies and village panchayaths as they are the eyes and ears of the area. They have to report to us whether any hospitals or clinics were involved in dumping biomedical waste in public places. If they point out the concerned hospital or clinic, we will take steps to shut down that hospital or clinic with immediate effect."

Biomedical waste is frequently dumped near Manivakam lake on Vandalur outer ring road, near a private college beside Chembarambakam Lake, various locations near Adayar river and Nazarathpettai near Poonamalle municipality.

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The above article has been published from a wire source with minimal modifications to the headline and text.