Determination of Hospital Waste Composition and Management in Amol City, Iran

Abstract

Background: Hospital wastes are potentially hazardous and infectious to humans and the environment; therefore, hospitals must manage and dispose of their waste properly. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the composition and management of waste in the north of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on the status and composition of hospital wastes generated in three hospitals in Amol City (located in the north of Iran). During the study a total of three samples (a sample per month) were selected and analyzed for waste ingredients in each hospital. Some of the data was gathered by hospital personnel who completed questionnaire. Results: Based on this study’s findings the average rate of hospital waste generation was 3.1 kg/bed per day, of this 48.5% was non-hazardous and 51.5% was hazardous waste. In our study, the minimum and maximum component percentage of hospital wastes was for metal (1.07%) and paper (17.9%), respectively. Conclusions: Based on the findings obtained, the rate of total waste generation in the Amol Hospital is similar in range to that of other Iranian hospitals, however, the hazardous fraction of this waste was high in comparison to other previous studies, and this is probably due to improper separation and management of the waste materials.