Understanding the segregation system of dental clinics in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region and its risks and hazards to the workers involved during handling and transporting Bio-Medical Waste

The members of ‘Girls for Change’ are aspiring dentists along with their ongoing internships hey chose this topic that is directly relevant to their chosen line of profession. The group has studied the waste segregation system of dental clinics in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and examine the threats posed to the workers directly responsible for handling and transporting biomedical waste.They conducted 35 interviews of private dental practitioners and cross interviews of their assistants and three expert interviews. Result revealed that there is an urgent need to regulate management of hazardous waste and be accountable for the loopholes present. If this waste is not disposed of the correctly, it gets mixed with the municipal solid waste and contaminates it. It is not only an environmental hazard but also a serious health hazard to the handlers and the millions of people living in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.