Title: Comprehensive Review of Biological Waste Management in Iraq: A Comparison between the Medical and Veterinary Sectors and Global Practices

 

Dr. Majed Hamed Al Saegh / poultry pathologist / Australia

 

1. Extended Introduction Biological waste is one of the most hazardous types of waste generated by human activities, due to its microbial, chemical, pharmaceutical, and radioactive contaminants that directly and indirectly affect human, animal, and environmental health. This waste includes materials from healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, laboratories), veterinary, and agricultural activities—such as tissues, blood, sharps, expired medicines, and biological sample residues.

 

Globally, epidemic crises like COVID-19 have highlighted the significance of proper biological waste management as a critical component of public health security. In developing countries like Iraq, this waste poses a compounded threat due to inadequate infrastructure.

 

In Iraq, large quantities of biological waste are generated annually, yet most are handled unsafely. The problem spans both human and animal health sectors. The veterinary sector is often neglected despite its integral role in food security and the One Health approach. In numerous instances, animal carcasses are discarded on agricultural roads, burned, or dumped into sewage systems or water bodies—resulting in severe environmental pollution.

 

Local reports and field observations reveal widespread dumping of carcasses infected with diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and poultry in open areas—by roadsides, irrigation canals, and even residential areas. This practice flagrantly violates environmental and public health laws, spreading foul odours and disease-carrying vectors like flies and mosquitoes, and exposing stray dogs and cats to poisoning or infections.

 

This review aims to provide a detailed analysis of biological waste sources in Iraq, management mechanisms, common practices, and comparisons with international experiences. It also assesses structural and legislative challenges, the impacts on public health and the environment, and offers scientifically grounded recommendations based on lessons learned from other countries.

 

This paper draws on published results from related studies, including “Biological Approach for Recycling Waste Water in Iraq” (Al-Mossawi, 2014) published in Air, Soil and Water Research, and the 2024 review by Todd in Journal of Food Protection on waterborne diseases and wastewater treatment in Iraq. Both offer innovative solutions for addressing biological and chemical contamination in wastewater and emphasise poor waste and water management practices in Iraq’s hospitals and clinics.

 

1. Methodology A descriptive-analytical approach was followed:

 

• Literature review (2014–2024) on biological waste and contaminated water management in Iraq and comparator countries.
• Analysis of official reports from Iraqi ministries (Health, Environment, Agriculture) and international bodies (WHO, UNEP, FAO).
• Case studies from hospitals in Baghdad, Najaf, and Basra, integrating findings from Al-Mossawi and Todd.
• Analysis of current legislation and official decisions.
• Policy comparisons with Egypt, India, Jordan, Turkey, and Germany.

 

III. Results

 

Production Levels:

• Iraqi public hospitals generate approximately 0.5 to 3.9 kg of biological waste per bed per day.
• Veterinary clinic waste remains undocumented, but estimates suggest hundreds of tons annually from carcasses and samples.

 

Collection and Segregation Mechanisms:

• Only 30% of hospitals separate infectious from non-infectious waste.
• Coloured bags and warning labels are rarely used.
• Most veterinary facilities lack designated sharps containers.

 

Treatment and Disposal:

• Most facilities use primitive incinerators without filters.
• Only 25% of hospitals have autoclaves, which are often non-functional.
• Some facilities discharge contaminated water directly into rivers or sewers (Al-Mossawi).
• In rural areas, untreated sewage is used to irrigate vegetables, increasing disease risks (Todd).

 

Legislation and Oversight:

 

Weak oversight mechanisms and overlapping responsibilities between health, environmental, and agricultural agencies. Current legislation does not explicitly cover veterinary waste.

 

1. In-depth Discussion and Recommendations Field and scientific evidence confirms that Iraq is experiencing a dual crisis in managing both solid and liquid biological waste. As shown by Al-Mossawi (2014) and Todd (2024), wastewater from hospitals and labs in Iraq is a high-risk pollutant due to the lack of effective treatment systems—aggravating waterborne disease outbreaks.

 

Compared to countries like India and Turkey, Iraq lacks the essential infrastructure for hazardous waste treatment. While some developing nations have introduced mobile biological treatment units, Iraq continues to rely on outdated methods such as open burning and direct discharge.

 

Recommendations:

 

• Adopt small-scale biological treatment units as proposed by Al-Mossawi, for treating contaminated biological water at medical and veterinary facilities.
• Enact unified legislation for biological waste that includes both solid and liquid forms.
• Conduct a national survey to identify hazardous pollutants using tools like the Ames test and genetic monitoring of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Develop databases of pathogens and carcinogens found in water and biological waste.
• Mandate periodic waste reports from medical and veterinary facilities.
• Ban disposal of diseased carcasses in public areas and enforce penalties on violators.
• Establish decentralised treatment plants in rural and agricultural regions.
• Train veterinary and health personnel in proper waste segregation.

 

1. Conclusion :

Scientific and field-based evidence reveals that mismanagement of biological waste—both solid and liquid—in Iraq poses a significant public health risk, undermines sustainable development goals, and threatens the right to clean water and a safe environment. The lack of infrastructure and regulatory clarity has led to deteriorating water quality and the spread of waste-related diseases. Adopting the biological treatment approach, as highlighted by Al-Mossawi and Todd, presents an effective and sustainable solution if implemented flexibly with institutional support. This review underscores the urgent need for a national comprehensive strategy that unites ministries, universities, and the private sector to achieve a healthier and environmentally secure future for Iraq.