CM14.1-4 | Hospital Waste Management — Glossary

Moist-heat sterilisation using pressurised steam (typically 121°C, 15 psi, 30–60 min) that inactivates all micro-organisms including bacterial spores; mandated for red-bag and sharps waste.

Any solid or liquid waste generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of humans or animals, or in research related thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals — as defined under BMW Rules 2016.

The Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016, notified under the Environment Protection Act 1986, governing generation, segregation, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste in India.

A centralised, SPCB-authorised facility that collects biomedical waste from multiple healthcare establishments for treatment and disposal.

Disposal of anatomical or placental waste by burial ≥2 metres deep, ≥50 metres from any water body, with lime cover; permitted only in areas without CBWTF access.

Immobilisation of sharps waste by filling a container with cement, lime, or molten plastic to form a solid monolith, then disposal in a secured landfill.

Controlled high-temperature combustion (primary chamber ≥800°C, secondary ≥1,050°C) that destroys infectious, anatomical, and cytotoxic waste with ≥90% volume reduction.

Accidental puncture of the skin by a needle or sharp instrument contaminated with patient blood or body fluid, creating risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission.

Under BMW Rules 2016, the person who has control over the healthcare establishment (typically the hospital administrator or owner) and bears primary legal responsibility for biomedical waste management.

High-temperature (>5,000°C) plasma-arc treatment for cytotoxic drugs and chemical waste, achieving near-complete molecular destruction without toxic residues.

Antiretroviral therapy started within 72 hours (optimally within 2 hours) of potential HIV exposure to prevent seroconversion; initiated after needle-stick injury involving HIV-positive source.

BMW Rules 2016 container for contaminated recyclable solid waste (IV bags, tubing, gloves, syringes without needles); requires autoclaving followed by shredding and recycling.

Rigid, puncture-proof white/translucent container for all sharps (needles, lancets, scalpel blades, contaminated broken glass); must be sealed and replaced at three-quarters full.

State-level regulatory authority that grants authorisations to healthcare facilities and CBWTFs, conducts inspections, and enforces BMW Rules 2016.

BMW Rules 2016 container for human anatomical waste, soiled non-recyclable materials, discarded medicines, chemical waste, and cytotoxic agents; requires incineration or deep burial.