An illegal storage facility for hazardous medical waste was discovered in Kyiv
In Kyiv, law enforcement officers discovered a site where hazardous medical waste was being illegally accumulated and stored. The violation was uncovered by officers of the National Police of Ukraine during an inspection.
According to preliminary data, the waste was stored in violation of established requirements, which could have posed a threat to people and the environment. Law enforcement officials are investigating the circumstances of the case.
“The waste was stored on the premises of warehouses in Kyiv without complying with environmental safety requirements. This posed a real threat to the life and health of the population, as well as to the surrounding natural environment,” the State Security Service noted.
During searches, law enforcement officers discovered freely accessible storage facilities where significant volumes of hazardous medical waste had been accumulating for a long time.
"It was stored in plastic bags and containers without proper sorting, temporary storage, record-keeping, or transfer for further disposal," the National Police of Ukraine stated.
Among the items seized were used disposable syringes, needles, ampoules, medicine vials, surgical scalpel blades, laboratory materials, and other medical devices.
Law enforcement officers also seized specialized containers labeled “Danger. Sharp Objects (Category B Medical Waste)” and the international biohazard symbol, confirming that the seized items fall under the category of epidemiologically hazardous medical waste and that individuals were aware of their hazardous properties.
“This method of handling hazardous medical waste could have led to the spread of infectious diseases, contamination of soil, air, and groundwater, as well as harm to human health,” the statement reads.
The criminal case, under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, is being investigated under Article 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement, or acquisition of property through abuse of official position) and Article 236 (violation of environmental safety regulations) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Following a series of expert examinations and procedural actions, a decision will be made regarding whether to notify the individuals involved of their status as suspects. The illegal activities of business entities that were accumulating, stored, and handled hazardous medical waste in gross violation of environmental protection laws were uncovered by officers of the National Police of Ukraine’s Department of Strategic Investigations in collaboration with detectives from the Territorial Directorate of the State Environmental Protection Service in Kyiv.
