Laws Related to Environmental Protection vis-a-vis Hospital Induced Environmental Toxicity

ABSTRACT

Hospitals are reservoir of infected organisms and toxins. It is must to ensure minimum exposure to patients, public and staff to avoid spread of toxicity. Hospitals are also generating solid, liquid and gaseous waste which in turn produces environmental toxicity if not dealt with properly. To manage hospital and to avoid hospital induced environmental toxicity, it is necessary to know and follow various laws of environmental protection like The Environment Protection Act, 1986; The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986; Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016; Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989; Municipal Solid Waste (management and handling) Rules, 2000; Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste in Healthcare Facilities Rules, 2008; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Manufacture, use, import export and storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered microorganisms or cells rules, 1989; etc. Brief knowledge about above laws and consequences of violating such rules are important for every health sector like clinics, nursing homes, pathology laboratory, forensic laboratories, AYUSH hospitals, camps, research laboratories etc. In this review, we just touch upon various rules and its importance in relation to hospital set up. Green and clean environment is our necessity and health sector has to comply it.