Hazardous Waste Analysis

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Health care waste is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as “the total waste stream from healthcare establishments, research facilities, laboratories, and emergency relief donations” (Johannssen et al., 2000, p. 3). A range of activities at health care facilities result in the generation of different categories of health care waste (Gabela & Knight, 2010). Health care waste is categorised as either general waste or hazardous waste (Sawalem, Selic & Herbell, 2009), otherwise referred to by WHO as communal waste and special waste, respectively (Johannssen et al., 2000). Hazardous or special waste requires more stringent care and disposal (Johannssen et al., 2000). Hazardous waste includes infectious and pathological matter, sharps, …show more content…

Considering the poor levels of waste management in LMICs, health care waste incineration has been identified as a potentially financially feasible means of health care waste treatment (Rogers & Brent, 2006). Over 90% of hazardous health care waste generated at hospitals is incinerated (Nemathaga et al., 2008). Incineration, despite disposing of microorganisms, is also problematic as the incinerators that are used still have old technology and the process results in the emission of harmful chemicals (Gabela & Knight, …show more content…

In rural health clinics, financial resources have been identified as a major contributing factor to the mismanagement of health care waste (Rogers & Brent,

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