Hazardous Waste and Clinical Waste Management

These flashcards cover key topics including definitions, regulations, characteristics, and challenges in hazardous and clinical waste management.

What is the definition of hazardous waste according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?

Hazardous waste means wastes (solids, sludges, liquids and container gases) that can cause danger to health or the environment due to their chemical activity or characteristics.

What are the two basic approaches for classifying hazardous waste?

1. Listing approach 2. Criteria approach

What is the purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when dealing with hazardous waste?

PPE is used for health protection and safety of personnel handling hazardous waste to minimize the risk of exposure and long-term health issues.

Identify three characteristics that indicate a waste is hazardous.

Ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity.

What are clinical wastes?

Clinical wastes are discarded materials from healthcare facilities containing sharps, body excreta, and other infectious substances that may pose hazards.

What is the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 in Malaysia?

A regulation that classifies and manages scheduled wastes, including clinical waste, to prevent environmental hazards.

What is the major challenge in clinical waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The increase in clinical waste due to rising numbers of COVID-19 positive cases and the corresponding increase in healthcare waste.

What regulations govern the treatment and disposal of clinical waste in Malaysia?

Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.

What does the listing approach in hazardous waste classification imply?

It involves categorizing wastes by their source and segregating them into hazardous and non-hazardous categories.

What is one effective method for treating clinical wastes mentioned in the lecture?

Incineration is an effective method for treating clinical wastes.