METHODS OF MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

INCINERATION

Advantage

* Reduction of Waste volume, weight

* Ability to make waste unrecognizable

* Acceptability for all waste types

* Heat recovery potential

Disadvantages

* Public opposition

* High Investment, operation cost

* Formation of dioxins and furans

* High maintenance, testing, and repair costs

* Vulnerability to future restrictive emissions laws

STEAM AUTOCLAVE DISINFECTION

Advantages

* Low investment cost

* Low operating cost

* Ease of biological testing

* Creation of residue that is less hazardous than for incineration

Disadvantages

* Inability to change waste appearance

* Inability to change waste volume

* Lack of suitability for some waste types

* Production of uncharacterized air emissions

MICRO DISINFECTION

Advantages

* Ability to make waste unrecognizable

* Significant volume reduction

* Absence of liquid discharges

Disadvantage

* High investment cost

* Increased waste weight

* Lack of suitability for some waste types
* Potential to expose workers to contaminated shredder
* Production of unchatacterized air emissions

MECHANICAL/CHEMICAL DISINFECTION

Advantages

* Significant waste volume reduction
* Ability to make waste unrecognizable
* Rapid processing
* Waste deodorization
Disadvantages

* High investment cost
* Lack of suitability for some waste types
* Production of uncharacterized air emissions
* Need for chemical storage and use

TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICAL WASTE


Waste category Suitable Methods Options
Infectious waste Incineration (accompanied Sterilization, followed with sterilization of by landfill high-risk waste)
Sharps Contaminated sharps by Sterilization, followed incineration (together with by landfill combustible secure containers)
Pharmaceutical Expired medicines by returning Landfill with secure
Waste to suppliers, if possible, or containment if not, by incineration (at a high temperature)
Contaminated/spilled waste by Incineration (at a high temperature)
Small quantity solid and liquid medicines by discharge to sewer

Cytotoxic waste Expired drugs by returning to Chemical decomposi- suppliers, if possible, or if tion, followed by not, by incineration (at a landfill or discharge high temperature) to sewer (Never to be discharged to sewer without pretreatment)
Contaminated/spilled waste by incineration (at a high temperature)

Chemical waste Unused chemicals by returning Hazardous chemicals by to suppliers, or recycling if on-site treatment possible according to the nature of chemical followed by Landfill

Non-recyclable, non-hazardous chemicals by landfill
Hazardous chemicals by off-site hazardous waste disposal facilities, if available

Radioactive waste Combusitable hazardous chemicals by incineration (at a high temperature)

Low-level activity by incineration, landfill or discharge to sewer according to the nature of the waste
Medium-range activity by storage to decay, followed by landfill, incineration or discharge to sewer


Very high-level activity by consulting with the appropriate authority

Pressurized Large containers (e.g. gas cylinders) containers by returning to suppliers

General waste Disposal as household waste by landfill,
etc.