Effects of Vermicomposting on Microbiological Flora of Infected Biomedical Waste

Abstract

As an offshoot of WHO aided pilot project on hospital waste management in Bangalore India composting of biodegradable part of infected hospital waste using earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae) was conceived and carried out in Command Hospital (CHAFB) .The aim was to study whether vermicomposting was an effective method for rendering infected waste to non-infective, the end product being eco-friendly as well and to assess the efficacy of vermicomposting ,.Results are suggestive of prospects of use of Vermicomposting to convert infected biodegradable waste containing various pathogenic microorganisms to an innocuous waste containing commensals like citrobactor frundii and aerobic spore bearing microorganism usually found in the soil all over. The paper highlights detailed methodology of a systematic attempt towards examining a hitherto less exposed option.