(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is set to focus on hazards created by e-waste, a new but fast growing challenge.
A first of its kind local conference for health care practitioners across HMC will emphasise on hazards created by e-waste in health care settings.
The one-day conference will be held in February to coincide with the National Environment Day. Six local experts will discuss different issues related to medical waste, occupational health and e- waste, said Dr Huda Al Naemi, Executive Director of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at HMC.
'Our aim at HMC is to free visitors and workers from ‘recognised hazards. This year for the first time we will pay more attention to e-waste, which is a fast growing problem. Local experts will discuss about the impact of e-waste including health issues, Dr Al Naemi told The Peninsula.
'We at HMC very frequently upgrade our systems and it's obvious that a big setting like HMC has a huge amount of e-waste. The idea behind the one day conference is to initially talk about the problem and find ways to solve it, she added.
Electronic waste, 'e-waste or 'Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ('WEEE) is a waste consisting of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliances.
More than 100 medical and non-medical staff from across HMC are expected to attend the conference.
'HMC has the best medical professionals, provides the best care and has the most advanced services. Same way, HMC also has the best safety practices and Occupational Health and Safety experts, said Dr Al Naemi.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), E-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from inhalation of toxic fumes, as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food. In addition to its hazardous components, being processed, e-waste can give rise to a number of toxic by-products likely to affect human health. Furthermore, recycling activities such as dismantling of electrical equipment may potentially bear an increased risk of injury.
During the last few years, various international calls for action have highlighted the need of strategic interventions in the field of e-waste. These include the Libreville Declaration emanating from the first Inter-Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Africa 2008, the Busan Pledge for Action on Children's Environmental Health of 2009 and the Strategic Approach to Integrated Chemical Management's expanded Global Plan of Action issued at the International Conference on Chemical Management ICCM3 in 2012.
Currently, there are a number of international initiatives that are addressing global e-waste management and trade concerns, as well as issues with environmental pollution due to e-waste.
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