Medical Waste Disposal Research Articles

Experimental study on recycling rubber to increase the impact resistance of cement mortar

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in medical waste generation, posing hazards to both the environment and global health. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic’s medical waste hazard may persist long after the pandemic itself subsides. Improper disposal of medical waste can contaminate environment, posing risks to ecosystems and public health. Discarded medical rubber gloves, for example, can become a source of infection, improper disposal of these gloves can escalate the spread of infectious diseases and increase the risk of transmission of the virus to the general public. This study proposes an innovative and sustainable method to reinforce cement mortar by adding recycled glove rubber as an additive to cement mortar to increase its resistance to impact loads. This study conducted uniaxial compression tests, separating hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments and SEM observations to evaluate the quasi-static compressive strength and dynamic stress of recycled rubber fiber mortar (RRFM) with varying recycled rubber fiber (RRF) contents (0, 1%, 2%, 3%). Strain curves, dynamic increase factor (DIF), energy absorption rules, failure modes, and microstructure of RRFM mixtures. The experimental results demonstrate that with the addition of RRF, the dynamic stress-strain curve flattens and the peak strain gradually increases. The RRFM sample shows stronger toughness. In comparison to regular cement mortar (NM), RRFM has a higher DIF and specific absorbed energy, a faster increase in dynamic compressive strength, and the ability to absorb more energy per unit volume. Under the same impact load, RRFM has fewer and smaller cracks than NM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) testing also observed that RRF formed a strong connection pattern with the cement mortar matrix.

HE SYSTEM OF COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD MEDICAL WASTE: CURRENT STATE, LEGAL REGULATION AND PROSPECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

The article is devoted to the study of the problem associated with the uncontrolled release of household pharmaceutical waste accumulated from expired or unused medicines. The authors conducted a review of foreign experience in its legal support, referring to the need to introduce a new method of waste management in the country, in particular, a system for collecting and disposing of household medical waste, which is successfully available in the world, which will reduce environmental damage from these wastes. The existing systems of collection and disposal of household medical waste in European countries are analyzed in depth as successful samples. The authors propose to adopt a special law for the successful implementation of the system and regulation of its functioning and to amend and supplement the codes on the environment and the health of the people and the country's health system. In addition, the authorized bodies consider that the draft law, which should be revised and developed by some regulatory acts, should contain a certificate on household medical waste, be established by the participating entities, and consolidate their rights and obligations. As a result of the study, the authors concluded that this change is necessary today, given that the implementation of the system in the country and its legal support require measures and resources that must be implemented at a large-scale state level. According to the authors, the problem can be solved only by proper utilization of medical waste. For this purpose, the state should have a legal mechanism of appropriate regulation. And legal regulation in Kazakhstan operates only in relation to waste exported from health care organizations. In the era of intensive use of medicines in households, this becomes a big problem that needs to be solved.

Assessing the efficacy of surgical mask-based modified conventional filtration chambers in eradicating harmful microorganisms from wastewater

ABSTRACT Subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, waste management posed escalating challenges attributed to the imprudent disposal of medical waste, notably surgical masks. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken concomitantly to confront the dual concerns of mitigating environmental pollution and managing discarded face masks. The experimental methodology entailed the utilization of filtration chambers featuring surgical mask layers of distinct thicknesses, labeled as Treatment-0 (no mask layer), Treatment-1 (5 mm mask layer), Treatment-2 (10 mm mask layer), and Treatment-3 (15 mm mask layer), to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms from contaminated river water, Buriganga. At the end of the observation, Treatment-3 exhibited the most significant declination (88.15%) of the bacterial population. This treatment also removed most pathogens, including E. Coli (19.85%), total coliform (16.42%), and fecal coliform (12.02%). The findings underscore the significance of modern filtration systems and the efficient, ecologically viable recycling of medical waste, with a specific focus on surgical masks.

Logistics of Medical Waste Management: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Models

Background: Medical waste poses various risks to public health, with heightened importance post-COVID-19. The pandemic escalated the ever-growing generation of medical waste, which demands meticulous handling to mitigate potential risks to the healthcare system and the public. Medical waste management relies heavily on logistics, ensuring the safe and proper disposal of medical waste. Objective: Quantitative models play an integral part in establishing effective, flexible, and costefficient logistics in medical waste management. They enable precise planning, optimizing routes, and determining the most efficient disposal methods. This paper provides a systematic review of quantitative models for the logistics of medical waste management. Methods: Through comprehensive search, filtering, and screening, we identify 96 documents for detail review. Results: We present a structural review covering key aspects of modeling: entities involved, objectives, constraints, solution methods, uncertainties and stochastic input, multi-criteria decision analysis, and post-optimality analysis. Conclusion: This state-of-the-art review provides a general guideline for the current approaches to modeling and quantitatively analyzing the logistics of wase management. Our paper also serves as a starting point for practitioners aiming to learn the basics of running logistics of medical waste management.

GIS-technologies and algorithm for developing regional systems for handling medical waste on the example of three regions

Introduction. GIS is a modern computer technology designed for collecting, storing, analyzing and visualizing spatial data – mapping. GIS is also actively used in healthcare to solve many regional problems, including optimization and management of healthcare resources. Over last decade, many researchers have used mathematical software models for healthcare waste management. A review of the literature shows facility location, risk to the public, and economic feasibility to be among the issues that have been extensively covered in the literature. Designing a reverse logistics network using mathematical software tools is an efficient and effective way to manage healthcare waste. The objective of the study. To determine the optimal approach to creating a functional model of a system for managing medical waste of class B and C using GIS-technologies for each of the three regions, based on the characteristics of each. Materials and methods. Medical institutions in three regions (St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region and Krasnoyarsk Territory) as sources of medical waste generation were considered taking into account their capacity and specialization. The composition and volumes of waste by class were determined using a calculation method based on indicative waste generation standards. The identification of local technologies for the neutralization of medical waste existing in medical institutions was carried out. The obtained data was processed statistically and displayed on electronic maps for subsequent use in GIS technologies, as well as for the development and justification of a waste management system for medical institutions, taking into account the prospects for the development of healthcare. Results. Based on the analysis of data on medical waste of classes B and C in individual medical institutions, as well as an analysis of the power of existing technologies for neutralizing this waste using GIS technologies, proposals were developed to improve the medical waste management system in three regions. The proposals are aimed at improving the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the regions over a five-year period and take into account the features of the existing transport infrastructure and the requirements of sanitary legislation. Limitations. The model of a medical waste management system using GIS technologies was used only for managing waste of classes B and C. Conclusion. To ensure the safe and environmentally sustainable functioning of the waste management system of classes B and C in the regions, it is necessary to apply an integrated approach based on GIS technologies. This approach should take into account the regional characteristics of the management of the medical waste disposal system and its economic feasibility and take into account the regional characteristics of transport logistics and the prospects for the development of healthcare.

Digitalization and Digital Applications in Waste Recycling: An Integrative Review

The rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization has brought the issue of waste management to the forefront. Industrial, household, and medical waste management and disposal are major issues affecting the whole world. The adoption of digital technologies across society is largely a result of the increasing processing power of waste and decreasing costs. Waste management and recycling is also benefiting from emerging digital technologies. The Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics are a few examples of specific digital technologies that are currently in use and are predicted to have a significant impact on the efficiency of the waste recycling industry in the future. The objective of this review, which was conducted using the bibliometric method and visualized with scientific mapping, is to demonstrate how the digital transformation of waste recycling has evolved over the last decade and to identify which issues have been overlooked or have become more prominent. The scope of the research is based on studies carried out all over the world and on digital applications and works in the field of waste recycling. In this review, bibliometric analysis was used to scan the entire field and the results were classified and interpreted according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses) methodology.

Green Occupational Health, Safety and Performance of Devolved Healthcare Services in Kenya

Green human resource management is the adoption of policies and practices to attain sustainable use of a firm's resources while enhancing environmental sustainability, which also boosts employee morale and satisfaction with firm performance. Level Five hospitals in Kenya are increasingly expected by law to implement environmentally sustainable practices. This study aimed to determine the effect of green occupational safety and health on the performance of devolved healthcare services in Kenya. A mixed-methods research design was used, whereby the researchers combined the elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study targeted 5,960 employees working in 12 Level 5 hospitals in Kenya. This study applied multi-stage random sampling, which refers to dividing the population into units or smaller and smaller groups and selecting the sample (Kothari, 2019). In the first stage, simple random sampling was used to select four of the 12 Level Five hospitals with an accessible population of 1310. In the second stage, purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 131 respondents, representing 10% of the accessible population (Mugenda & Mugenda, 2013). Data collection tools were questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially while qualitative data was subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between green occupational safety and health and the performance of devolved healthcare services in Kenya. The study concluded that green occupational safety and health had a significant effect on the performance of devolved healthcare services. The study recommended that devolved healthcare services should improve if they continuously used green occupational safety and health management systems that reduce accidents and injuries; utilized paperless offices so as to create a clean and safe work environment; applied eco-friendly medical waste disposal methods such as waste minimization, segregation, and recycling; used eco-friendly safety gadgets; and conducted regular safety and health audits.

Efficient Biomedical Waste Management- Need of the Time: A Lesson Learnt From COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Medical waste management (MWM) is of concern to the medical and general com-munity. Adequate knowledge regarding the management of healthcare waste is an important precursor to the synthesis of appropriate attitudes and practices of proper handling and disposal of medical waste by healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and housekeeping staff, regarding BMW management at a tertiary hospital in Telangana.Subjects and Method: This was a cross‑sectional study carried out at a tertiary health care center in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana, India. A stratified sampling technique was used to select the different cadre of healthcare providers from the hospital. A self‑administered questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices of 300 study participants was prepared. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.Results: The majority of respondents were nursing staff 43% (143/300) followed by doctors, interns, sanitation workers, and lab technicians. About 3/4th of the HCWs had experience of more than 3 years. Only 65% of the doctors have correct knowledge of the colour coding of bags. About only 20% of the nursing staff practiced segregation of the waste on-site. The practice of hand washing was significantly higher among female HCWs (p = 0.010).Conclusion: This study showed that there is a clear lack of BMW management among the HCW especially class IV staff who handle a large. Thus ongoing training should be provided to HCWs on MWM, with more attention to knowledge of regulatory requirements, and involvement of HCWs in the development of MWM policies to enhance compliance.

. Medical waste management and disposal in emergency military service situations

The article aims to analyze and justify the need for improving the safety system for handling and recycling medical waste in order to optimize the medical waste management in emergency situations of military service. The legal acts of the Russian Federation and the regulatory acts of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation providing for the service safety requirements for military personnel, including the medical waste management system and their disposal, were analyzed. The concept of medical waste and its role in the structure of production and consumption waste was explored. The features of medical waste management in military emergencies were identified. The requirements for medical waste disposal plants, including productivity, compactness, reliability, safety for the personnel and the environment and mobility, were specified. A high-temperature installation for the medical waste disposal was developed, its technical characteristics and examples of positive testing in medical institutions were identified. The analysis and the results obtained are an obligatory condition for improving the medical waste management system in emergency military situations.

Experimental and modeling study of medical waste based on plasma gasification

Plasma gasification melting (PGM) provides reliable disposal of toxic medical waste with a low heating value, which is capable of converting waste into energy. This study investigates the performance of experiments on plasma gasification for the treatment of chemical-pharmaceutical medical waste (CPMW) with an air medium. A comparative analysis is performed for gasification characteristics at three reactor temperatures (1000, 1400, and 1800 °C). Moreover, a thermodynamic equilibrium model is developed to assess performance features such as syngas yield, high heating value, and cold gas efficiency in the gasification temperature range of 1000–1800 °C. A comparison of the experiment and computational outcomes shows a good agreement. The results show that the quality of syngas and heating value is improved by increasing the temperature of the plasma gasifier so that at 1800 °C, H2, CO, and higher heating value (HHV) are obtained as 41 %, 37 %, and 10 MJ/Nm3, respectively. The obtained syngas is a clean fuel with low sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing. The experimental results provide an extensive comprehension of CPMW gasification in a plasma reactor and consider a possibility for hydrogen and energy production.

T-Spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method based on distance measures and Hamacher Heronian mean averaging aggregation operators and its application to waste management

T-Spherical fuzzy sets provide a robust framework for handling uncertainty in real-world decision-making. This paper addresses the construction of T-Spherical fuzzy Heronian mean averaging aggregation operators using novel Hamacher operations. The study mathematically verifies the properties of these operators and develops new distance measures such as Hamming, Euclidean and Jaccard for quantifying dissimilarity between T-Spherical fuzzy numbers. Furthermore, the TOPSIS method is implemented using the proposed operators and distance measures to solve a practical decision-making problem in selecting the best transportation firm for medical waste disposal. A sensitivity analysis is made to assesses the efficacy of the proposed operators, while a comparison study with existing methods is exhibited to establish their efficiency.

Does Reusable Instrumentation for Four-Anchor Rotator Cuff Repair Offer Decreased Waste Disposal Costs and Lower Waste-Related Carbon Emissions?

Orthopaedic surgery is culpable, in part, for the excessive carbon emissions in health care partly due to the utilization of disposable instrumentation in most procedures, such as rotator cuff repair (RCR). To address growing concerns about hospital waste, some have considered replacing disposable instrumentation with reusable instrumentation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost and carbon footprint of waste disposal of RCR kits that use disposable instrumentation compared with reusable instrumentation. The mass of the necessary materials and their packaging to complete a four-anchor RCR from four medical device companies that use disposable instrumentation and one that uses reusable instrumentation were recorded. Using the cost of medical waste disposal at our institution ($0.14 per kilogram) and reported values from the literature for carbon emissions produced from the low-temperature incineration of noninfectious waste (249 kgCO 2 e/t) and infectious waste (569 kgCO 2 e/t), we estimated the waste management cost and carbon footprint of waste disposal produced per RCR kit. The disposable systems of four commercial medical device companies had 783%, 570%, 1,051%, and 478%, respectively, greater mass and waste costs when compared with the reusable system. The cost of waste disposal for the reusable instrumentation system costs on average $0.14 less than the disposable instrumentation systems. The estimated contribution to the overall carbon footprint produced from the disposal of a RCR kit that uses reusable instrumentation was on average 0.37 kg CO2e less than the disposable instrumentation systems. According to our analysis, reusable instrumentation in four-anchor RCR leads to decreased waste and waste disposal costs and lower carbon emissions from waste disposal. Additional research should be done to assess the net benefit reusable systems may have on hospitals and the effect this may have on a long-term decrease in carbon footprint. Level II.

A novel fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making for enhancing the management of medical waste generated during the coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic significantly increased the use of essential medical supplies, resulting in a surge in medical waste generation. This surge has spurred extensive research into sustainable disposal methods for safe and environmentally responsible medical equipment management. Addressing this multifaceted issue falls within the domain of multi-criteria decision-making. This study presents a comprehensive framework for selecting optimal medical waste treatment methods, considering economic, technological, environmental, and social factors. This is the first study to address the problem of selecting a medical waste disposal technology using the Fuzzy Dombi Bonferroni. The mean operator to combine expert opinions, the fuzzy preference selection index method to evaluate the criteria and the fuzzy compromise ranking of alternatives from distance to ideal solution method to rank the alternatives. According to the weightings, the social dimension holds the highest significance at 0.3217. Disinfection efficiency ranks as the most critical criterion, weighing in at 0.0823. The autoclave is rated as the top disposal technique, with a utility function value of 5.4579. Sensitivity analyses ensured the stability and reliability of the models. The adaptability of the applied model to sustainable practices such as energy conversion, material recycling, and resource recovery represents an essential aspect of policymaking in waste management. This assessment can guide policy formulation or improvement processes for waste disposal.

Impact of Social Restrictions During COVID-19 on the Aquatic Levels of Antimicrobials and Other Drugs in Delhi.

The relative contribution of factors responsible for the environmental exposure of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of interest for appropriate remedial measures. This study was carried out to evaluate the post-lockdown levels of APIs in water resources, in comparison to our previously published study from 2016. The environmental levels of 28 drugs from different classes were analyzed in surface water (Yamuna River), aquifers, and leachate samples collected from 26 locations in Delhi-NCR using the previously validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. In addition, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in coliforms isolated from targeted surface water samples was also studied. This study revealed that more than 90% of APIs, including antibiotics, decreased drastically in both surface water and aquifers compared to our previous data. Selected samples subjected to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis revealed the presence of cephalosporin-resistant coliform bacteria. Tracing cephalosporins in the surface and drain water samples revealed the presence of ceftriaxone in the drain and water samples from Yamuna River. Higher levels of ceftriaxone in landfill leachate were also found, which werefound to be associated with coliform resistanceand indicatethe un-segregated disposal of medical waste into landfills. Social restrictions enforced due to COVID-19 resulted in a drastic decrease in antimicrobials and other APIs in aquatic water resources. Increased ceftriaxone and cephalosporin resistance was seen in coliform from surface water and drain, indicating the possibility of hospital waste and treatment-related drugs entering Yamuna River. Enforcement of the regulations for the safe disposal of antibiotics at hospitals and preliminary disinfection of hospital sewage before its inflow into common drains might help minimize the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

Identification of key potential risk areas and key potential failure modes in hemodialysis rooms by the FMEA method following routine prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hemodialysis is an important part of nosocomial infection prevention and control (IPC). This study aimed to identify the key potential risk areas and failure modes in hemodialysis rooms in hospitals and put forward a series of improvement measures to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Hemodialysis patients are highly susceptible to COVID-19 and usually have a high incidence of severe illness and mortality after infection with COVID-19. Therefore, IPC in hemodialysis patients is of crucial strategic significance. Based on 30 domain experts' interviews and careful analysis of prevention and control documents, we constructed a comprehensive failure system for a model that identifies the potential risks for nosocomial COVID-19 infection in the hemodialysis room. Subsequently, a thorough risk assessment of the potential failure factors identified in our model was conducted. The failure key factors corresponding to the human element in medical waste (garbage) disposal (C2) are verified to be the highest risk factors. They are as follows: The cleaning staff did not dispose of different types of medical waste (garbage) (C21), did not wear masks according to the regulations (C22), and lacked knowledge and norms of nosocomial IPC (C23). This study provides valuable insights for hospital decision-makers on the potential failure factors related to COVID-19 infections in hemodialysis rooms. By working with hospital infection specialists, the suggested improvement measures can help reduce the risk of virus exposure among hospital medical staff, patients, and cleaning staff.

Reverse Logistics Network Design for Medical Waste Disposal under the Scenario of Uncertain Proposal Demand

With the development of the healthcare industry, the demand for medical services and protective equipment is boosted, causing the generation rate of infectious medical waste to increase rapidly. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for decision makers to effectively predict the potential risks and propose corresponding solutions. This paper investigates the reverse logistics network optimization for medical waste under the conditions of an uncertain proposal demand. Firstly, a prediction model of medical waste based on the SEIR epidemiological dynamics is constructed, in which both routine and public health emergency scenarios are simultaneously considered. Secondly, a bi-objective location-routing optimization model for a medical waste reverse logistics network is proposed, by simultaneously optimizing the total economic cost and potential risk throughout the entire logistics process. Subsequently, an NSGA-II algorithm is designed for a model solution in response to the model’s characteristics. The epidemiological dynamics-based prediction model is validated by the real case to be scientifically effective in predicting the amount of generated medical waste with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 18.08%. The constructed reverse logistics network model and the NSGA II algorithm provide a medical waste process center location, transportation routing, and vehicle selection solutions for both routine and emergency public health cases of Xi’an city with large, medium, and small scales. The above results indicate that the research scheme proposed in this paper could significantly reduce the medical waste logistics-related risks and costs and provide decision makers with more safe and reliable logistical solutions.

Assessment of Basic Services and Handling of Infectious and Highly Infectious Waste in Health Facilities

Introduction: Safe handling and disposal of medical waste are important aspects of ensuring epidemiological safety of medical activities. Objective: To analyze performance of republican health facilities in rendering basic services for hazardous infectious and highly infectious waste management. Materials and methods: This work is a part of a study of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services rendered. The materials covered information about medical waste handling and management in 350 health facilities in terms of epidemiological safety. Data were collected from November 2020 to January 2021 using a checklist. Results: In most healthcare facilities (56 %), medical wastes, both infectious and highly infectious, are properly separated into three containers: emergency, infectious, and non-infectious wastes. The most common problems observed were related to labeling or color, and compatibility, with the type of waste in the bins. Health facilities still use open burning or other forms of hazardous disposal (24 %). The process of disposal of hazardous and infectious wastes in healthcare facilities shows that safe waste handling is not ensured by the management. Provision of basic waste management services in the coverage areas is at a low level (in the Districts of Republican Subordination/Dushanbe – 35.8 %, in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Sughd and Khatlon Regions – 11.1 %, 43.3 %, and 36.4 %, respectively), which requires making urgent decisions and establishing procedures for the safe disposal of sharps and infectious wastes. Conclusion: The study results revealed significant shortcomings and unsafe practices, as well as deviations from the basic level that ensures epidemiological safety in health facilities and protects health of patients and medical personnel.

Site Selection of Medical Waste Disposal Facilities Using the Interval-Valued Neutrosophic Fuzzy EDAS Method: The Case Study of Istanbul

In recent years, as a result of the increasing demand for health services, medical waste (MW) generated from health facilities has increased significantly. Problems that threaten the environment and public health may arise as a result of inadequate medical waste management (MWM), especially in densely populated metropolitan areas. Therefore, it is very important that the disposal process of waste is carried out in a way that minimizes harm to human health and the environment. MW disposal site selection is among the most important decisions that local governments make. These decisions have many conflicting and similar criteria and alternatives. However, decision-makers may experience significant uncertainty when evaluating the alternatives. This study adopts the interval-valued neutrosophic (IVN) fuzzy EDAS method for the evaluation of MW disposal facility siting alternatives in Istanbul. This approach is used to evaluate potential sites based on a comprehensive, hierarchical criteria framework designed to address data uncertainty and inconsistency common in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) scenarios. Within the scope of the study, six main criteria (distance settlement area, social acceptance, costs, environmental impacts, infrastructure facilities, and disaster and emergency) and nineteen sub-criteria are meticulously analyzed. Considering the geographical location and dense urban texture of Istanbul, the study emphasizes the criteria related to distance to residential areas, logistics costs, and potential disaster risks. Among the identified criteria, land costs, topographical features, proximity to landfills, and distance to high-voltage lines are emphasized as the least important criteria. This study, which evaluated various alternatives, identified Pendik, located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, as the most suitable site for MW disposal due to its minimal risk. The study also compares the four main alternatives and highlights their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Review and Research on Medical Waste Recycling Network

The mass production of medical wastes has tested the safety of urban public health, and the recovery and disposal of medical wastes is imminent. Under various environmental backgrounds, such as the sudden increase in the number of medical wastes, the late start of the medical waste recycling industry in China, the low disposal rate, and the improper treatment of medical wastes affecting the environment and personal safety, medical wastes should be managed in a timely and standardized manner, and effective strategies should be put forward to minimize the environmental pollution caused by medical wastes. Therefore, in recent years, this paper studies the optimization of medical waste recycling network and summarizes the current research status of medical waste recycling network in academic circles.

Effect of NaClO disinfectant treatment on the yields, components and combustion characteristics of typical medical waste pyrolysis products

Medical waste with pathogenic bacteria is infectious and toxic, which could cause significant harm to the environment and human health without being adequately disposed of. Pyrolysis-incineration coupled technology can realize the rapid and efficient treatment of medical waste while reducing the generation of pollutants. Whereas, the NaClO disinfection treatment, which is a necessary process prior to transfer and disposal of medical waste, has not been sufficiently described in terms of its effect on the pyrolysis yield and components characteristics of medical waste. This study clarified the influence mechanism of NaClO disinfection treatment on the yields, components, and combustion characteristics of pyrolysis products derived from typical medical waste (cotton swab sticks, masks, and latex gloves). The results showed that NaClO disinfection treatment induced depolymerization of the internal structure of the polymer and increased pyrolysis tar and syngas at 400 °C. In addition, NaClO disinfection treatment reduced syngas quality, which was attributed to generating more CO2 and inhibiting alkynes gas production under medium-low pyrolysis temperatures. Furthermore, the condensation or cyclization of light components into heavy components in the tar increased the average double-bond equivalents and oxygen content, which was detrimental to tar ignition and combustion. Moreover, the combustion performance of char was improved because there was a tendency for the conversion of graphitic carbon to fatty carbon in the char. These findings elucidate the feasibility of pyrolysis-incineration coupled technology for the fast and effective treatment of medical waste.