HAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE IN DISASTER ZONES: RISKS AND MODERN APPROACHES TO DISPOSAL

Abstract

The article addresses the issue of hazardous medical waste in emergency and disaster settings. The classification of waste is presented, and the main sources of its generation are characterized. Particular attention is paid to the risks to public health and the environment arising from improper waste management, including the spread of infectious diseases and toxic effects. The pathways of exposure to hazardous waste, high-risk groups, and existing problems of medical waste management under conditions of damaged infrastructure are examined. Modern approaches to disposal based on innovative technologies and the principles of sustainable development are analyzed. The necessity of an integrated approach to medical waste management for ensuring sanitary and epidemiological safety is emphasized.