Medical Waste Management

By Author: Morton Kaufman
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

Bio-medical wastes refer to wastes that are generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining or in the testing of biological specimens. Biological specimens includes any preparation made from organisms or micro-organisms or product of metabolism and biochemical reactions intended for use in the diagnosis, the treatment of human beings or animals or immunization or in research activities.

Waste generated by health care activities includes a variety of materials, from used needles and syringes to soiled dressings, body parts, diagnostic samples, blood, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactive materials. Poor management of health care waste potentially exposes health care workers, waste handlers, patients and the community at large to infection, toxic effects and injuries, and risks polluting the environment. It is inevitable that all medical waste materials are segregated at the point of generation, appropriately treated and disposed of safely. When wastes are incinerated at low temperatures or when plastics that contain polyvinyl ...
... chloride (PVC) are incinerated, dioxins and furans and other toxic air pollutants may be produced as emissions and in bottom or fly ash. Dioxins, furans and co-planar PCBs are toxic substances produced as by-products of industrial processes, which includes the combustion of wastes containing polyvinyl chloride. Dioxins, furans, co-planar PCBs and ot
her toxic air pollutants may then be produced as emissions and in bottom or fly ash.

The safe disposal of health-care waste generated at smaller rural clinics or larger facilities is possible where adequate, well-operated infrastructure exists. WHO estimated that, in 2000, contaminated injections with contaminated syringes has caused 21 million hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections (32% of all new infections), two million hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections (40% of all new infections) and at least 260 000 HIV infections (5% of all new infections). In 2002, the results of a WHO assessment conducted in 22 developing countries showed that the proportion of health-care facilities that do not use proper waste disposal methods ranges from 18% to 64%.

Different types of wastes produced by the medical field needs to be dealt with in different ways. Some wastes should be incinerated while others have to be stored securely while others have to be recycled. You should ensure that the proper steps are taken with regards to the type of waste being handled. There are different systems and services available in place to accommodate the medical waste disposal Texas and to help any hospital or clinic clean up safer, faster, and of course, greener.

Dennis Tackleberky covers the waste management industry. Specializing in medical waste, Dallas medical waste disposal and waste management for Texas residents.