Did you know that simply tossing out items like nail polish, glue, dyes, or expired medicines with your regular household waste can actually be harmful? Domestic Hazardous Waste (DHW) might be generated in smaller quantities compared to regular waste, but its potential risks to the environment and human health are significant. According to a study published in the Journal of Urban Management (December 2021), the 62 million tons (MT) of waste generated annually in India includes 7.9 MT of hazardous waste, 5.6 MT of plastic waste, 1.5 MT of e-waste, and 0.17 MT of biomedical waste. Moreover, the Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has projected that annual waste generation in India will increase to 165 MT by 2030.

Due to rapid urbanization and a lack of awareness about the harmful effects, India is one of the top countries in generating municipal waste. A report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) revealed that India generates over 62 MT of waste per year. Unfortunately, only 43 MT of the total waste generated is collected, with 12 MT being treated before disposal, and the remaining 31 MT simply discarded in wasteyards.  However, most of the waste generated not only remains untreated but inadequate waste collection and disposal have become major causes for environmental and public health concerns in the country.

A study conducted by Toxics Link across various cities in India found a severe lack of health and environmental consciousness among households and waste workers. Shockingly, more than 65% of households admitted to mixing almost every category of Household Biomedical Waste (HBMW) with regular household waste, while others resorted to draining expired or leftover syrups before discarding the bottles or even burning leftover/expired medicines, pregnancy and sugar testing strips, and disposable PPE. This improper disposal of hazardous waste has led to its traces being found in most landfills, contributing to a significant level of toxic heavy metals and persistent organic contaminants like pesticides in these sites.

This demonstrates the urgent need for heightened awareness and effective waste management systems to address the growing issue of domestic hazardous waste and its impact on the environment and public health.

The issue of domestic hazardous waste (DHW) poses significant challenges on several fronts.

Environmental Concerns

Improper disposal of prescription drugs, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants in water bodies has resulted in decreased fish populations, as noted by the United States Geological Survey. Additionally, untreated medicines and residues that remain even after waste treatment can harm food crops. Expired medicines also contribute to landfill contamination, while mercury from discarded bulbs and thermometers adds to environmental and health hazards.

Health Impact

The impact of DHW on human and animal health is profound. Exposure to domestic hazardous waste can lead to serious health issues such as cancer, organ damage, lung scarring, skin and eye irritation, stomach discomfort, and toxic effects on the nervous and digestive systems. According to the Toxics Link report, hazardous substances present in DHW can also cause severe health effects including behavioral abnormalities, genetic mutations, and physiological malfunctions.

Occupational risks

The mishandling of household hazardous waste presents occupational hazards, including injuries, exposure to toxins, and burns. Studies indicate that many waste handlers do not utilize proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), significantly increasing the risk of injury.

Suggestions for Handling Domestic Hazardous Waste in India

The Indian government has made significant strides in addressing the issue of domestic hazardous waste through legislative measures like the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016.

It is imperative for urban local bodies and municipalities to implement by-laws that specifically enforce source segregation and proper management of domestic hazardous waste.

Regular visual inspections of waste piles can aid in identifying non-compliance and issuing notices for violations, and repeated violations should result in ‘no waste pickup’.

Capacity-building programs for local officials and waste workers can facilitate smoother day-to-day operations.

Designating separate collection days for different categories of domestic hazardous waste, with prior notification, can enhance source segregation.

Waste collection agencies should be empowered to refuse waste pickup in the event of waste mixing, following adequate notice.

(Inputs from Toxics Link report – Domestic Hazardous Waste – An Emerging Concern in India)

Consider this: A person gets a call from someone who introduces himself as a cop and tells him there are suspicious transactions in his bank accounts. That is what happened to this PhD scholar from Hyderabad, who became the target of one of the scariest scams—something called a “digital arrest.”

He, in a very professional manner, introduced himself as a police officer and stated that there was an issue. Being scared of going against the law and having faith in the ‘police official,’ he was eventually forced to reveal his scholar’s bank details, which were supposed to be helpful in the investigation. He had no idea about his entering the threshold of a skilfully fabricated trap.

Things escalated soon after. One day he was told to log onto a video call—into isolation, away from family and friends—and wait for the fraudsters to do what they could to manipulate him into compliance. What they did is called “digital arrest,” whereby victims are forced to log in continuously under some such false promise of resolving legal issues or investigations that never took place.

A victim who is an architect themselves was also lured in the same fashion and was forced to pay 60 lakh for release from such digital prison. It goes on to depict just how merciless these fraudsters really are in extracting their money through tactics of fear and compulsion.

How to Safeguard Yourself:

Check the identity of the callers more particularly who introduce or claim themselves to be from any law enforcing agencies or government departments. The genuine authority very seldom seeks sensitive information over phone.

Keep Personal Information Safe: Do not give sensitive information, like bank accounts, passwords, or personal identification numbers (PINs), to unknown callers or through insecure channels.

Be Suspicious: Be very wary of any unsolicited calls that are threatening immediate action or demanding sensitive information. Obviously, confirm the same through official channels before taking any action.

Not Be Isolated: It is very important not to be isolated from family and friends. The modus operandi of fraudsters is normally to instruct the victim to maintain complete silence about the issue in front of family and friends. One should always inform friends and family members about any suspected fraud calls to get support and suggestions.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you think that you have fallen victim to or have come across any kind of scam, then you should report it immediately to the local law enforcement agencies and consumer protection authorities. Timely action may prevent further damage from taking place and help to protect others.

You must make a report to 1930 helpline number to report such incident.

Digital arrest scams work by targeting people’s fear and vulnerability, making their lives miserable. Sharing such information will keep you and those around you safe from these cyber fraudsters. Abide by the sense of precaution, be more alert, ever mindful of your intuition, and always ensure your safety above all in your online interactions.

Stay safe and informed against digital fraud.

Rinki Sharma