HOSPITALS, clinics and other institutions where bio-medical wastes are leading to environmental and health hazards, will have to adhere to clear-cut guidelines in the future on waste disposal methods. The ministry of environment an d forests is giving the final touches to a notification regarding proper disinfection, treatment and disposal of bio - medical wastes from hospitals, clinics, research institutes, laboratories and ,,laughter houses. The notification was set in motion after the recent Supreme Court directiv'e to the Central government to instal incinerators in all hospitals and nursing homes in New Delhi, with more than 50 beds. The ministry had issued draft rules in April 1995 and is making final changes in its annexures tollowing suggestions and recommendations made by various hospitals.

The rules, known as the Bio-Medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1995, which were issued tinder various sections of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, make it essential for the organisations to prepare bi- annual reports, keep regular records and make annual returns in order to track these wastes. It will be mandatory for all institutions to segregate the wastes at the place of its generation. The rules also provide the blueprint for the types of containers to be used, colour coding and labelling.