Planning applications for any clinical waste facility are often hotly contested by residents and others living or working nearby who feel that they may be harmed in some way by the waste arriving on site.

Working on many such applications over the years, I am well aware that these views are widely and quite sincerely held. The concerns spread throughout communities with pressure groups and public meetings, generally propagated by a local newspaper working, presumably, on the ‘bad news sells’ principle.

It is entirely wrong to suggest that such fears are irrational. It is unnecessary certainly, and can be countered with a well-presented science- and evidence-based case that provides open answers to honest questions. With clear and detailed information, and some carefully chosen comparisons with which to put matters into a meaningful context, most objections simply fade away.

It is interesting to read of another US application for a new medical waste facility, this time in Houston, Texas. The issues, and the concerns, seem to be exactly as we would expect in the UK. That is particularly interesting, and possibly relates to deep-seated fear and loathing of blood and/or needles which is, or course, truly international.

Studies to investigate in greater detail the root cause of strongly held concerns among members of the public about clinical wastes have been on-going for several years. Access to research subjects is particularly difficult and thus far no conclusions can be drawn. However, needle and blood phobias do seem to be high on the list of possibilities. Whatever the cause(s) this fear is not irrational but is, for some, very real. Knowledge of this will assist in the management of planning applications and assist in managing objections.