Treatment of Medical Waste
1. Incineration
Incineration chamber
Photo from: GHWP
Incineration is also known as burning of medical waste in medical waste incinerator ("Medical Waste Frequent," 2012). This is the simplest process of medical waste destruction because the medical waste does not need to be sorted prior the burning. Also, the burning sterilizes the waste and reduces its volume significantly. After the incineration the waste can be dumped in a landfill. However, the EPA is still examining if the incineration should still be used as a method for medical waste destruction. Medical waste is mostly plastic and while burning the plastic releases toxins and, causes pollution and is harming the environment.
2. Autoclaves
Autoclaves chamber
Photo by: George K. Moss
Autoclaves are used 90% of the time to treat medical waste. They are closed chambers that apply heat, pressure and steam to sterilize the medical waste and to kill all the microorganisms (Moss, 2013). Autoclaves is a two step process because after treatment the medical waste is still recognizable and therefore needs to be shredded. Once the shredding process is completed the waste can be disposed in the general garbage container and can be treated as any other trash.
Small, countertop autoclaves are used by facilities to sterilize equipment for re-use. Large autoclaves are used by facilities to sterilize medical waste that will further be destroyed mechanically.
Small, countertop autoclaves are used by facilities to sterilize equipment for re-use. Large autoclaves are used by facilities to sterilize medical waste that will further be destroyed mechanically.
3. Mechanical/ Chemical Disinfection
Chemical disinfection is used to disinfect liquid medical waste. It is done by adding a chlorine based chemical into the liquid destroy the biohazards ("Disposal of,"2013). The chemical disinfection is combined with mechanical disinfection, such as shredding, to ensure that the chemicals are exposed to every part of the medical waste. Water is often added to the process, to cool the equipment used in the shredding process, as well as to delude the chemicals. The deluded chemicals are then discarded in the sewage system. Mechanical/chemical disinfection is done in the facilities and recycling companies are not needed.
4. Microwave
Photo from: Mirrage
Microwave destruction is a newly introduced method to disinfect medical waste. The process starts with shredding of the waste, which reduces its volume significantly. After the shredding is done, the waste is mixed with water and placed into a microwave unit. The units can be located in the facility or it can be brought by a recycling company ("Microwave," 2013). The microwave disinfection is a powerful process because it heats the shredded waste internally. The high temperatures create steam from the water and effectively neutralizes the biohazards.
Microwave disinfection is one of the cheapest ways to destroy the biohazards. It is done in one unit, can be performed by unskilled workers and because of its low volume, the waste can be then dumped in a landfill. Microwave is not recommended for disposing pathological waste.
Microwave disinfection is one of the cheapest ways to destroy the biohazards. It is done in one unit, can be performed by unskilled workers and because of its low volume, the waste can be then dumped in a landfill. Microwave is not recommended for disposing pathological waste.