Programa de recolección de residuos de medicamentos domiciliarios vencidos y/o en desuso para la ciudad de Concepción del Uruguay
Date
2023-03-06
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Abstract
La basura es considerada uno de los problemas ambientales más grandes de nuestra
sociedad. Entre los distintos tipos de residuos, los desechos de productos farmacéuticos representan un serio problema sanitario y ambiental, por lo que es necesario descartarlos de manera adecuada. En nuestro país, la legislación que regula la disposición de residuos de medicamentos no contempla la eliminación de estos desechos cuando son de origen domiciliario. En este contexto, y al igual que en muchas ciudades argentinas, en Concepción del Uruguay no se dispone de un sistema para descartar de forma segura los residuos farmacéuticos generados en
los hogares. A raíz de ello, la población elimina los mismos en conjunto con la basura o por los desagües cloacales, lo cual plantea riesgos para el medio ambiente y salud de las personas. En base a lo expuesto, la presente investigación tuvo como objetivo diseñar un programa de recolección de medicamentos vencidos a nivel domiciliario en el Municipio de Concepción del Uruguay, con el fin de promover la disposición segura de estos residuos y así disminuir la contaminación ambiental causada por fármacos.Para ello, se analizaron antecedentes sobre el destino final de estos desechos, se indagó sobre el estado actual del sistema de recolección de este tipo de residuos a nivel municipal y se realizó una encuesta para identificar el nivel de conocimiento y de concientización ambiental de la población sobre el descarte de medicamentos. Con los datos obtenidos se efectuó una propuesta de un programa de recolección de medicamentos post consumo a nivel municipal y se logró poner en práctica una prueba piloto de 3 meses de duración, en la cual se recolectaron aproximadamente 8 kg de residuos de medicamentos, que se caracterizaron y gestionaron adecuadamente. Finalmente, con la información obtenida se lograron definir lineamientos relacionados al alcance del programa, ubicaciones de los puntos
de recolección, capacitación, difusión y sustentabilidad del programa para su ejecución de forma permanente.
Waste is considered one of the biggest environmental problems in our society. Among different residues, pharmaceutical products represent a considerable health and environmental problem, for this reason it is necessary to dispose of them properly. In our country, legislation that regulates the disposal of drug residues does not contemplate the elimination of these wastes when they are produced in homes. In this context, as in many Argentine cities, in Concepción del Uruguay there is no system to safely dispose of pharmaceutical waste generated in homes. Thus, the population eliminates them together with the garbage or through sewage drains. This situation represents risks to the environment and people's health. The objective of this research was to design a program for the collection of expired medicines in Concepción del Uruguay households, in order to promote the safe disposal of this waste and reduce environmental pollution caused by drugs. Information about the final destination of drug residues was collected, the current state of the collection system for this type of waste at the municipal level was investigated, and a survey was carried out to identify the level of knowledge and environmental awareness of the population about drug disposal. With the data obtained, a post-consumer drug collection program was proposed at the municipal level and a 3-month pilot test was performed, in which approximately 8 kg of drug residues were collected, characterized and managed. Finally, with the information obtained, guidelines related to the scope of the program, locations of the collection points, training, diffusion and sustainability of the program were defined for its permanent execution.
Waste is considered one of the biggest environmental problems in our society. Among different residues, pharmaceutical products represent a considerable health and environmental problem, for this reason it is necessary to dispose of them properly. In our country, legislation that regulates the disposal of drug residues does not contemplate the elimination of these wastes when they are produced in homes. In this context, as in many Argentine cities, in Concepción del Uruguay there is no system to safely dispose of pharmaceutical waste generated in homes. Thus, the population eliminates them together with the garbage or through sewage drains. This situation represents risks to the environment and people's health. The objective of this research was to design a program for the collection of expired medicines in Concepción del Uruguay households, in order to promote the safe disposal of this waste and reduce environmental pollution caused by drugs. Information about the final destination of drug residues was collected, the current state of the collection system for this type of waste at the municipal level was investigated, and a survey was carried out to identify the level of knowledge and environmental awareness of the population about drug disposal. With the data obtained, a post-consumer drug collection program was proposed at the municipal level and a 3-month pilot test was performed, in which approximately 8 kg of drug residues were collected, characterized and managed. Finally, with the information obtained, guidelines related to the scope of the program, locations of the collection points, training, diffusion and sustainability of the program were defined for its permanent execution.
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Educación ambiental, Residuo biopatogénico, Residuo peligroso, Contaminación ambiental, Medicamento vencido-recolección, Sustentabilidad, Expired medication-collection, Hazardous waste
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