Environmental challenges of a Brazilian basic health unit in managing sharp waste produced by diabetics in domestic use

Abstract

The goal of this study was to analyze the management and reverse logistics of sharp wastes, such as needle syringes and lancets, from domestic use by insulin-dependent diabetics, which were attended by the Brazilian Unified Health System. This is an exploratory case study, carried out by from data collected from 233 insulin-dependent diabetics and interviews with a health professional from October 2014 to September 2015. It was estimated that, in one year, 68% of insulin users received standard biosafety boxes below the necessary quantity for the disposal of needles, syringes, and lancets. Around 1,300 kg of sharp wastes were generated and only 1,831 boxes were distributed, showing a deficit in the reverse logistic system and indicating that sharp residues were incorrectly disposed of in residential garbage. A new Brazilian model to distribute the standard biosafety boxes to diabetics to guarantee the correct environmental disposal of sharp wastes is necessary.