ISSN No : 2454-4493Volume : 18, No. : 2

The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic has closed borders, grounded planes, quarantined more than half of

the world's population. Dealing with the unforeseen challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has

taken a significant toll on people all across the world. Many countries have declared restrictive measures,

such as lockdown, shelter in place, or stay at home orders, to contain the pandemic at local level.

According to the survey, COVID-19 is having a deep-impact on businesses and economic activities as

jobs are at high risk as a result of reduction in manpower within the industries.

In context to this, GCPC-ENVIS RP continued their activities organizing Webinars on regular basis. This

issue covers the highlights of webinar organized by GCPC-ENVIS RP including the story of Gujarat

Response to Bio-Medical Waste Management during COVID-19. This issue also covers the highlights of

Celebration of World Yoga Day, 2020 by GCPC-ENVIS.

April - June, 2020

duction by RNGPIT, Bardoli

and AARSH

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BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY GUJARAT POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

AUTHORS

Dr. Sunita VarjaniScientific Officer, GPCB

Shri A.V. ShahMember Secretary, GPCB

Introduction

Corona viruses are large number of family viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several corona viruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered corona virus. This new virus and disease were known before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December, 2019 and its affecting around 190 countries. Considering the threat of this emerging infectious diseases of epidemic potential, the Emergency Committee on novel corona virus of WHO declared it as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)” on 30th January, 2020 under International Health Regulations – 2005 and later recognized it as a pandemic on 11th March, 2020 when more than 114 countries were affected by this new infectious SARS emergency, on lakh plus people were already infected of which 4 thousand people lost their battle to suffering this new diseases.

COVID-19 Pandemic – Response by India

Due to potential health hazard Bio-medical waste management is an important component of health services delivery towards ensuring safety of patients, caregivers, hospital staff as well as general public and environment. The Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 as well as the Bio-medical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 mandate that such waste to be segregated at the point of generation and safely collected, stored at healthcare facilities and transported, treated and disposed safely by the Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs). Though India already had Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, to ensure safe disposal of Bio-medical waste generated during treatment, diagnosis and quarantine of patients with the novel Corona virus disease (COVID-19), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) came out with special guidelines. The guidelines provide a series of steps for safe disposal of waste generated in hospital isolation wards for COVID-19 patients, testing centers and laboratories, quarantine facilities and homes of suspected patients. For isolation wards where COVID-19 patients are kept, in addition to rules regarding Bio-medical waste, as a precaution, double-layered bags (two bags) should be used for collection of COVID-19 waste to ensure adequate strength and no-leaks. It also states to collect and store Bio-medical waste separately prior to handing over the same (to) Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF). Use a dedicated collection bin labeled as “COVID-19”

to store COVID-19 waste and keep separately in a temporary storage room prior to handing over to the authorized staff of the CBWTF. Bio-medical waste collected in such isolation wards can also be lifted directly from ward into CBWTF collection van while seeking a separate record of waste generated from COVID-19 isolation wards. Urban Local Bodies are responsible to ensure safe collection and disposal of Bio-medical waste, if any, generated form Quarantine Camps/ Quarantine Homes/ Home Care for COVID-19 suspected persons and are required to coordinate with the CBWTFs.

It is also advised that the bags/containers used for collecting Biomedical waste from COVID-19 wards should be labeled as COVID-19 waste to enable CBWTFs to identify the waste easily for priority treatment and immediate disposal after getting it. At the quarantine facilities and during home care for suspected COVID19 patients, it is noted that even though a low quantity of Biomedical waste is expected to be generated, they still need to follow strict steps to ensure safe handling and disposal of waste. CBWTF operators “shall ensure regular sanitization of workers involved in handling and collection of Biomedical waste and that they should be provided with adequate personal protective equipment including three-layer masks, splash-proof aprons/gowns, nitrile gloves, gumboots and safety goggles.” It directed the facilities to use dedicated vehicles to collect COVID-19 ward waste and asked them to sanitize such vehicles after every trip. There is also a guideline for management of wastewater from HCFs / Isolation Wards have been inserted in Revison-2. This Revision-2 of guidelines is mainly to 4 | P a g e incorporate specific requirements and responsibilities of persons operating Sewage Treatment Plants at healthcare facilities and to clarify on management of general waste from quarantine homes and masks/gloves from other households.

Bio-Medical Waste Management scenario in Gujarat and Activities by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB)

Gujarat is forefront in management of biomedical waste. Total 20 operational Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) are established in Gujarat having installed capacity of 73,200 kg/d of incineration of biomedical waste against 30,000 kg/d of generation of waste from Health Care Facilities (HCFs). Installed capacity of autoclaves is 29,700 kg/d against waste generation of 6,700 kg/d. In Gujarat there is extensive network of collection and disposal of the waste through Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities. Entire biomedical waste generated from the 29761 health care units covering 193599 beds in disposed of through Common Biomedical Waste Management Facilities. In response to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, GPCB issued letter to all its Regional Officers, Indian Medical Associations and Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities on 17th March, 2020 for compliance of Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 specifically for COVID-19 waste. The first two cases of the COVID-19 pandemic were confirmed in the state of Gujarat on 19thMarch, 2020 from Rajkot and Surat, who had a travel history to Saudi Arabia and London. GPCB has appraised Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Gujarat on 19th March, 2020 regarding the guidelines published by Central Pollution Control Board for Handling, Treatment and Disposal of waste generated during treatment/diagnosis/quarantine of COVID-19 patients and also urged strict compliance of guidelines by HCFs/Institutions/Camps of the state. On 21st March, 2020, GPCB issued a letter to all its Regional offices and Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities for the compliance of biomedical waste generated from quarantine facilities, and circulated the guideline published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to District Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), major HCFs of state and Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities for strict compliance of guidelines. In addition to

above on 22nd April, 2020, GPCB also circulated the revised guidelines published on 18th April, 2020 by CPCB to the above listed stakeholders for strict compliance of revised guidelines. Looking to the pandemic situation and increase in number of cases, GPCB has planned to utilize spare capacity of individual hazardous waste incinerator located at individual industries such as Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Carbogen Amics and common hazardous waste incinerators such as Bharuch Enviro Infrastructure Ltd., Ankleshwar, Saurashtra Enviro Projects Pvt. Ltd., Kutch, Gujarat Maritime Board, Aland and Detox Corporation Pvt. Ltd., Dahej. GPCB is monitoring Biomedical Waste Management through its 27 regional offices located in Gujarat and maintaining records of COVID-19 treatment wards / quarantine centers / quarantine homes in respective areas. BMW generated from HCFs is disposed of through operational CBMWTFs located in various parts of the state. Data have been collected by GPCB to maintain record of BMW generated and disposed of from the HFCs and quarantine facilities shown in figure: 1

Figure 1: Bio-medical waste generated and disposed of from the HCFs and quarantine facilities

Following steps are taken by all Regional offices of GPCB for compliance of

Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016

• Teams of officer(s) from Regional Offices are formed for monitoring & effective handling and management of COVID-19 waste for jurisdiction of Regional Office.

• Briefed District Administrations and District Health officers for effective & scientific handling, management, treatment and disposal of waste generated during treatment / diagnosis / quarantine of COVID-19 Patients as per CPCB Guidelines published time to time & BMW Management Rules, 2016.

• Coordinate with CBWTFs and ULBs in establishing adequate facilities for collection and disposal of COVID-19 waste.

• CBWTFs are frequently monitored for safe, effective handling, management, treatment and disposal of COVID-19 waste and also aware them about various provisions of CPCB Guidelines. CBWTFs are also instructed to operate CBMWTF for extra hours if required with due permission.

• Inventory is also carried for spare capacity of captive hazardous waste incinerator of pharmaceutical industries & BMW Incinerators of CBMWTF.

• Maintenance of daily records of generation and disposal COVID-19 waste to Biomedical Waste (BMW) incinerators of CBMWTF & regular reporting to higher authorities.

• · Necessary co-ordination and arrangement is made for training and awareness of administrative, nursing, technician and para medical staff of health care facilities for effective handling & management of biomedical waste as per CPCB guidelines including proper segregation, collection, pre-treatment, disinfection, appropriate storage, labeling, timely disposal, record keeping, duties of the HCF, handling of contaminated PPEs, risk of infection etc. of newly formed Hospital for COVID-19.

Joint wastewater sampling for the study of SARS COVID-19

GPCB is collaborating with IIT Gandhinagar for the study of Covid-19. In a view to that samples (Untreated and treated wastewater) were collected from sewage wastewater from 106 MLD Old Pirana STP of AMCto check the presence of COVID-19 virus in sewage (Fig. 2).

Team also visited the STP of Zydus Hospital. No COVID 19 patient was admitted in this HCF, hence sample of this HCF was collected to have reference sample. Hospital was having STP for treatment of generated wastewater from hospital activity. Physico-chemical parameters were measured on the spot by the team and samples were handed over to IIT Gandhinagar, for further studies.

Figure 2: Sampling by team at sewage treatment plant

5th June, 2020, Organized by: GCPC-ENVIS RP

WEBINAR – I “WAY FORWARD FOR RESTARTING INDUSTRIES & WASTEWATER

TREATMENT PLANTS IN UNLOCK-1”

GCPC-ENVIS RP on the occasion of World Environment Day, 2020 conducted a Webinar on “Way Forward for Restarting Industries & Wastewater Treatment Plants in Unlock-1”. Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS discussed the background of COVID-19, Symptoms and Impacts on Industries. Dr. Jain mentioned about various guidelines issued by National Disaster Management Authority such as Guidelines for Chemical Disasters, 2007, Guidelines on Chemical Management Disasters, 2009, Strengthening of Safety and Security for Transportation of POL Tankers, 2010 which are relevant for chemical industries. He also briefed about the manufacture, storage and import of hazardous chemical rules, 1989 under Environment Protection Act, 1986, etc. He discussed the risks involved on early start-up of industries after lockdown-1 including challenges and tips to manage pre-start up safely. He elaborated on process equipment checks before start up, HVAC checks, electrical safety, fire protection system checks, etc. He also briefed about the SOPs for safe re-starting of industries during and after lockdown. Dr. Jain briefed various measures such as 'Screening of Employees and Visitors', Maintaining Physical Distance, Hand-Hygiene Guidance, Waste Management, etc.

Speaker: Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

WEBINAR – II“POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CLEANER PRODUCTION”

6th June, 2020, Organized by: R.N.G. Patel Institute of Technology – RNGPIT & N.G. Patel Polytechnic – NGPP, Bardoli

Speaker: Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

R.N.G.P.I.T. & N.G. Patel Polytechnic, Bardoli invited Dr. Bharat

Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

as an expert during webinar on 'Cleaner Production and

Pollution Prevention'. The dignitaries present during the

webinar includes Dr. Latesh Chaudhari, Principal, RNGPIT,

Prof. Nikunj Kansara, CSE, RNGPIT, Shri Ketankumar D. Patel,

Coordinator including around 546 participants. Dr. Jain shared his views on 'Cleaner Production – A

step towards Sustainable Development'. Dr. Jain discussed Global Goals for Sustainable

Development (SDGs), Industrial Development in Gujarat mentioning about Gujarat's contribution to

India (share of percentage) in manufacturing of key production sectors like Textile, Glass, Chemical,

Petrochemical, Plastic, Salt, Soda Ash, etc. He mentioned about Special Investment Region

Development (SIRs) at Dholera, Special Economic Zone (SEZs), DAHEJ – PCPIR. Such large number of

chemical estates need adequate steps for environment protection. So far pollution problems have

been addressed using end-of-pipe treatment i.e., treatment of waste after its generation at the end-

of-pipe using Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), Common

Hazardous Waste Incineration Facility (CHWIF), Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs),

Common Multiple Effect Evaporator (MEE), Deep Sear Disposal Line, etc. Reactive Efforts towards

Better Environment and the proactive concept called 'Cleaner Production' – A Pollution Prevention

Approach. He elaborated on Role of GCPC in promoting the concept of Cleaner Production (CP)

including tools and methodology to implement CP. Dr. Jain also discussed various other concepts like

Eco-Industrial Parks, Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy. Realizing that treatment of waste is

not the solution to industrial pollution, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) came up

with the concept of 'Cleaner Production' (CP) a continuous, integrated, preventive environmental

strategy to processes, products and services with objective to increase efficiency and to reduce risks to

humans and the environment. Dr. Jain, briefed CP tools such as mentioning that CP tools can be

grouped into three major categories i.e., (I) Waste Reduction at Source (II) Recycling and (III)

Production Modification.

• Waste Reduction at Source includes – Good Housekeeping, Process Change (Raw Material

Change, Better Process Control, Equipment Modification and Technology Change)

• Recycling – On-site Reuse and Recovery and Creation of Useful By-Products and;

• Product Modification giving simple examples.

Dr. Jain continued mentioning about the methodology to implement Cleaner Production – Six easy

steps to implement Cleaner Production which includes: Making of CP Team, Analyze Process Steps,

Generating CP Options, Selecting technical, economical and environmental solutions, Implementing

Cleaner Production and Maintaining Cleaner Production giving examples of Waste Stream

Identification, Quantification, Characterization, etc. He briefed various case studies / success stories

of CP implementation in different sectors such as Agrochemical, Cement Manufacturing, Chemical

Manufacturing industries etc. including the advantages in terms of environmental and economical

savings. Dr. Jain than briefed about the activities of GCPC such as promoting Research and

Development Activities in the field of Cleaner Production and Clean Technology providing a single

knowledge sharing platform to Industries Academia and Government conducting a programme

named 'Integration of Research to Industrial Application'. He mentioned that this programme aims on

implementation of theoretical research conducted by students of chemical, environmental

engineering and environmental science students in the industries. Dr. Jain than briefed about

the success of 'Certificate Course on Cleaner Production Assessor' and 'ETP-CETP-STP Operation and Maintenance' for Master Trainers conducted by GCPC-ENVIS Resource Partner under the Green Skill Development Progamme of ENVIS, MoEF&CC, GoI. He concluded the presentation mentioning about various other activities of GCPC inclusive of Gujarat State Cleaner Production Award (GCPA), Eco-Industrial Park Development initiative, etc. which was highly appreciated by experts and the participants.

WEBINAR – III

13th June, 2020, Organized by: Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval and AARSH (Akshardham)

Speaker: Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

…Þtoðhý™e hûtt, yt…ýe Ëwhûtt

Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval invited Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC & Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS for an expert talk. Dr. Jain mentioned about what is environment in simple terms. He briefed about the five major elements of environment i.e., Space (Aakash), Fire (Agni), Air (Hava), Water (Paani), Earth (Prithvi). Indian culture has given special importance to environment (paryavaran) 5000 years back. Ved, Purans and Upanishads have worshiped elements of nature as God. Our human body consists of these five major elements. Human body is a subset of environment. If we keep balance of these five elements in our body by taking enough oxygen and by drinking water we can keep our body fit and healthy.

'Atharva Ved' worships Earth as Mother. Farmers worship land as mother before farming. As the life of farmer completely depends upon mother earth. Indian culture worships rivers, oceans, fire (agni), Vayu (Wind) as God. Indian culture worship World as a single Family. Narsinh Puran, Vishnu Puran and other puranas have worshiped nature as God and it has been given special importance. Geeta describes survival of every living being each and every living being has been given importance.

Dr. Jain, then stressed upon the reason behind environmental degradation, mentioning over population, urbanization, industrialization and excessive and unsustainable use of natural resources such as Air, Water, Land, etc.

Over population is one of the major challenges in the world today. It has increased the demand of food, water and many other natural resources on the earth.

Industrialization contributes to economic development creating employment opportunities. In 1948, Industrial Policy has been prepared for industrial development. Dr. Jain briefed about the scenario of Industrialization in Gujarat, including development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Special Investment Regions (SIRs) like Dholera, Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) including Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). He briefed about the different industrial clusters in Gujarat

Dr. Jain, briefed the effects of industrialization on the environment consisting of Air Pollution which is one the major challenges in the world today. He elaborated the effects of Air Pollution on flora, fauna and environment. Dr. Jain than discussed the effects of one of major air pollution incident occurred in the year 1952 called London Smog, where in 4,000 people died as a result of Air Pollution and officially estimated that more than 10,000 people died. Dr. Jain continued mentioning about Bhopal Gas Tragedy, 1984 occurred in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh including nuclear accident in Japan in March, 2011.

Dr. Bharat Jain, than discussed about the two major environmental challenges i.e., Global Warming and Climate Change as a result of deforestation, improper waste disposal, mining, unsustainable consumption and production, intensive farming, etc.

Dr. Jain mentioned that to conservation natural resources 'Think Globally, Act Locally'. He than briefed about the concept of Water Atm (Sarva Jal Concept).

He than discussed the scenario of water scarcity including the facts and figures of water consumption at home. He mentioned about the tips for water conservation. He also elaborated on generation and management of food waste.

He briefed about the per capita generation of Municipal Solid Waste per day. He mentioned various initiatives taken by different organizations such as using banana leaf for packaging as a substitute of plastic and making of t-shirts out of waste plastic. He than elaborated on Scenario of E-Waste Generation and tips for its prevention and management through Recycling. He mentioned about the sources of Wastage of Energy, Furniture Waste, Paper Waste and Tips for its prevention and conservation.

Dr. Jain briefed about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and positive effects of lockdown on environment as a result of generation of Clean Air, Water

He concluded mentioning about the scenario of water and energy in future as per the current consumption patterns.

WEBINAR – IV'SUSTAINABLE SANITATION'

18th June, 2020, Organized by: GCPC-ENVIS, CERC-ENVIS & NIOH-ENVIS

Webinar on 'Sustainable Sanitation' was jointly organized by regional ENVIS Centres GCPC, CERC and NIOH on 18th June, 2020.

Topics & Speakers

• Optimization of Resource Consumption for Sustainable Sanitation Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary & ENVIS Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

• WASH in Health Care Facilities Shri Uday Mawani, CEO & ENVIS Coordinator, CERC-ENVIS

• Sustainable Sanitation in Occupational Health Dr. J. Majumder, Scientist D (Ergonomics) & ENVIS Coordinator, NIOH-ENVIS

• Sustainable Sanitation in Real Estate Shri Ravindra Deodhar, Chief Operating Officer, Shree Siddhi Group

Speakers from GCPC, CERC, ENVIS discussed Sustainable Sanitation on a common platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary & ENVIS Coordinator, GCPC-ENVIS

stressed upon 'Optimization of Resource Consumption for Sustainable Sanitation'. He discussed what

is sanitation, per capita water availability in India and Gujarat. He stressed upon the concept of

Sustainable Sanitation and re-utilizing the grey water, including various examples of reusing Sewage

Treatment Plant Waste Water.

Dr. Jain discussed 'Policy for Reuse of Treated Wastewater' by Government of Gujarat. He than

discussed the amount of generation of different types of waste from household consists of Electronic

Waste, Food Waste, Plastic Waste, Paper Waste, Construction and Demolition (C&D), Waste,

Furniture Waste, etc.

Dr. Jain than mentioned about the effects of plastic waste generation on flora, fauna and environment

and initiatives taken by Government and Non-Government organization for reusing and recycling of

plastic waste, giving examples of by-back policy of Milk Pouches by Maharashtra Government and

making of T-Shirts by recycling of plastic bottles.

Dr. Jain stressed upon the generation of waste from temples consisting of flowers, coconut shells, etc.

mentioning that coconut shell can be reused as a replacement material in place of cement concrete in

construction industry as a concrete as cement emits large amount of CO2 and flower waste can be

used for vermi-composting, composting extraction of essential oils, making of holi colours and

biogas generation. The dignitaries and participants appreciated his efforts working towards

betterment of environment and thanked him for his valuable support for the same.

GUJARAT CLEANER PRODUCTIONCENTRE - ENVIS RESOURCE PARTNER

rd3 Floor, Block No. 11&12, Udyogbhavan,Sector-11, Gandhinagar-382017, GujaratMobile : 98251 46844Email : gcpc-env@nic.in, gcpc11@yahoo.comWebsite : www.gcpcenvis.nic.in

“CLEAN YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

TO AVOID SPREADING CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)”

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY.

PREVENTIVE STEPS BY GCPC-ENVIS RP AGAINST COVID-19 AT GCPC-ENVIS RP OFFICE

Checking temperature of employees during office hours regularly and serving boiling water consisting of turmeric, jaggery, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon,

cloves, etc.