Mapping of healthcare waste generating sources through the use of GIS

Summary

Healthcare waste (HCW) impacts public health and the environment when inadequately managed. The lack of knowledge about the risks of such waste by health professionals and by the population leads to the incorrect destination of the waste. It ends up being sent to the selective collection program and, later, to cooperatives of recyclable materials. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the routes traveled by the selective collection truck of Pelotas/RS in the areas covered by the program to identify the types of HCW generating sources that can be found on these routes. Because this is an exploratory research, we used tools of the Geographic Information System (GIS). It enables the user to perform spatial analysis and data generation through maps. It was possible to identify in one zone 99 health establishments; and, in another, 15 establishments, which refers to both human and animal healthcare. The presence of HWC in recyclable waste evidences the need for greater educational and enforcement actions, and for this last one, GIS can be used as an auxiliary tool.

Keywords:
Geographic information systems; Waste management; Public health