Hazardous medical waste dumped along river in Charsadda

CHARSADDA: The residents have complained about the dumping of hazardous medical waste along the Swat River here and demanded an immediate crackdown.

They told Dawn that large quantities of used syringes, blood-stained test tubes, laboratory vials and other medical waste were scattered near the riverbank, raising fears of environmental contamination and the possible spread of communicable diseases.

Residents said the dumping site was located near an area frequently visited by families and young people, particularly during the summer when hundreds of people came to the Swat River for swimming and recreation.

They warned that the presence of contaminated medical waste posed a serious threat to people’s health, as discarded syringes and broken laboratory glass could injure visitors, while blood-contaminated material might expose people to dangerous infections.

The residents claimed some private laboratories had been disposing of used syringes, contaminated test tubes and other infectious waste at the location for a long time.

They added that the waste had accumulated over time without any monitoring or intervention by authorities.

Environmental experts said medical waste was considered hazardous because it might contain infectious material capable of transmitting diseases if not handled and disposed of in accordance with prescribed safety standards.

They said improper disposal of healthcare waste could contaminate soil and water resources, endanger wildlife and expose waste handlers and the general public to preventable health risks.

The residents complained that the medical waste could eventually be washed into the Swat River during rainfall or flooding, polluting the water and threatening aquatic life.

They also pointed out that children often played near the riverbank, increasing the risk of accidental contact with contaminated syringes or other sharp objects.

The residents called on the district administration, the district health officer and the Environmental Protection Agency to inspect the site without delay, collect and safely dispose of the hazardous waste and identify those responsible for the alleged illegal dumping.

They demanded strict enforcement of medical waste management rules for all hospitals, clinics and diagnostic laboratories operating in the district.

The residents said regular inspections and proper monitoring were essential to ensure that infectious waste was treated and disposed of through approved methods instead of being discarded in open areas.

They demanded a crackdown on violators of medical waste disposal regulations.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026

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