Resíduos sólidos e lixo hospitalar: uma discussão ética

This paper deals with issues pertaining to solid waste. It discusses problems resulting from both
the life style of modern civilization and relationships between the First and Third Worlds, as well
as prospects for the environment if a new ethic of solidarity among human beings and respect for
life is not established Beginning with this overview, the article deals with specific issues of
hospital waste and the interference and impositions of First-World “culture” in the systems for
handling, processing, and disposing of hospital waste in Brazil. The article concludes by
analyzing whether or not such nosocomial waste should be considered hazardous.