Patients' environmental perception about radiographic film disposal in Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

Health Services Waste comes from hospitals, medical clinics, among other large generators. They are classified according to their dangerousness. Routine or urgent radiographic examinations are daily performed for the screening and/or diagnosis of various pathologies by hundreds of people. The films from these exams, if improperly discarded, cause irreversible damage to the environment and jeopardize the well-being of the population, since some Chemical elements with a hogh degree of contamination are used in the construction of images, such as heavy metals, mainly silver (Ag) and acetate, a plastic derived from petroleum. Therefore, Heath Services Waste managemet is a sanitary and environmental responsibility issue. The aim of this research was analyzing the environmental perception of patients of a radiological clinic located in Campina Grande city, in Paraíba, ofabout the correct use and disposal of radiographic films. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data. At the same time, explanatory pamphlets were prepared and distributed with basic information about the radiographic films to the research participants, such as composition, durability and guidelines on proper disposal, in accordance with environmental laws. As a result, it was noticed that the knowledge of the interviewees about the composition and disposal of this material is still insuficiente, consequently, radiographic films are usually disposed of inappropriately. Therefore, it is necessary to develop plans for Health Services Waste management with the generating agencies, in order to preserve human health and the environment, as well as educational and awareness actions, through environmental education, aiming at changes in the population’thinking and behavior, with regard to the inadequate disposal of radiographic films.