Medical waste, including used protective equipment and documents containing personal data, was found at a container site in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The violation was committed by employees of the disinfection department of the branch of the National Centre of Expertise.
The situation caused concern among residents, as such waste falls into the category of potentially hazardous material.
HOW IT CAME TO LIGHT
According to local residents, the alarm was raised by residents of a house on Belinsky Street, 34. On social media, they posted photographs showing used protective suits, masks, gloves, and gowns. Some boxes were labelled "toxic waste".
Furthermore, among the rubbish were medical documents belonging to citizens, containing information subject to medical confidentiality, including referral forms for tests and test results. The reports do not specify exactly how many documents were found.
Residents note that such waste is classified as hazardous and must be specially disposed of, and placing it on a regular container site may lead to administrative liability.
WHEN AND HOW DID THE WASTE END UP AT THE SITE
According to a comment from the director of the branch of the National Centre of Expertise for the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR) Raigul Baishybayeva, the waste ended up at the site on 3 April after a community clean-up event.
According to her, employees of the disinfection department collected the rubbish, packed it into bags, and took it to a site intended for solid municipal waste (SMW).
At the same time, the branch has a contract with LLP "EKOPROM" for the removal of medical waste of classes "B" and "C" from other addresses, as well as a contract for the removal of class "A" waste. Why the waste was taken to a regular site in this instance is only clarified as a result of improper performance of duties.
REACTION AND MEASURES
According to the branch head, after the fact was discovered, the waste was promptly collected and removed. An internal investigation was also conducted.
The guilty parties have been identified. For negligence in their official duties, disciplinary measures have been applied, and one specialist has been dismissed. The situation remains under monitoring.
WHY THIS VIOLATION IS CONSIDERED SERIOUS
According to the classification of medical waste, classes "A" and "B" refer to non-hazardous and hazardous, "C" to extremely hazardous, "D" to toxic, and "E" to radioactive.
The materials found at the site, including used protective gear and medical documents, do not fall into the non-hazardous category. Such waste must undergo mandatory sorting, decontamination, and disposal by specialised organisations.
Placing them on an open rubbish site created a risk of access by unauthorised persons and a potential breach of sanitary standards.