Waste Management Sub-CoP

HIV viral load, early infant diagnosis and COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing produces potentially hazardous chemical waste that contains guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC). When GTC comes in contact with an acid or oxidizer, such as bleach, it produces hydrogen cyanide gas. GTC is toxic to humans and animals. If untreated and poured down the drain can pollute waters and harm aquatic life. Proper storage, designation, treatment, and disposal of chemical waste and other types of waste can prevent serious consequences of catastrophic events or accidents. The scale up of community testing for many priority diseases including COVID-19 rapid testing poses a fresh challenge. For example, each COVID-19, HIV, hepatitis rapid test comes with of plastic packaging that ends up in the landfill. Considering billions of testing kits that have been purchased worldwide, tens of thousands of kg of plastic waste per billion tests are generated. Unfortunately, current waste management practices in most countries are suboptimal due to lack of adequate policy, lack of awareness, resources and poor adherence to standard practices.  

Through targeted technical assistance, knowledge and experiences, south-to-south collaborations and many other LabCoP modalities, the Waste Mgt sub-CoP facilitates joint development, review, and strengthening of laboratory waste management systems, and safe and proper disposal of medical laboratory waste in member countries.