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Kim JY, Park J, Lee DJ, Choi YB, Kwon EE. Sustainable management of medical plastic waste through carbon dioxide-assisted pyrolysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143266. [PMID: 39241841 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
To address the challenges associated with medical plastic waste and to characterize its heterogeneity, non-recyclability, and potential biohazard risks, this study explored a carbon dioxide (CO2)-assisted pyrolysis process as a sustainable disposal method. Medical plastic waste typically includes polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. To experimentally evaluate the functional reactivity of CO2, we employed three pyrolysis setups (one-stage, two-stage, and catalytic processes). The technical advantages of using CO2 over inert gases such as nitrogen (N2) were demonstrated through pyrolysis tests. The results showed that energy production was enhanced under CO2 conditions, with catalytic pyrolysis generating 146% more flammable gases compared to pyrolysis in an N2 environment. The use of CO2 also led to a reduction in the formation of toxic chemicals due to improved thermal cracking. The CO2-assisted pyrolysis process exhibited net negative CO2 emissions when a catalyst was present, as a substantial amount of CO2 was consumed during the process. In conclusion, CO2-assisted pyrolysis of medical plastic waste offers a sustainable management solution that maximizes the utilization of carbon resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Young Kim
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonghyun Park
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Jun Lee
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; Department of Animal Environment, National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye-Bin Choi
- Department of Animal Environment, National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Eilhann E Kwon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Tiruneh YA, Modiba LM, Zuma SM. Solid health care waste management practice in Ethiopia, a convergent mixed method study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:985. [PMID: 39187863 PMCID: PMC11345961 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11444-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare waste is any waste generated by healthcare facilities that is considered potentially hazardous to health. Solid healthcare waste is categorized into infectious and non-infectious wastes. Infectious waste is material suspected of containing pathogens and potentially causing disease. Non-infectious waste includes wastes that have not been in contact with infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, or radioactive substances, similar to household waste, i.e. plastic, papers and leftover foods. This study aimed to investigate solid healthcare waste management practices and develop guidelines to improve solid healthcare waste management practices in Ethiopia. The setting was all health facilities found in Hossaena town. METHOD A mixed-method study design was used. For the qualitative phase of this study, eight FGDs were conducted from 4 government health facilities, one FGD from each private health facility (which is 37 in number), and forty-five FGDs were conducted. Four FGDs were executed with cleaners; another four were only health care providers because using homogeneous groups promotes discussion. The remaining 37 FGDs in private health facilities were mixed from health professionals and cleaners because of the number of workers in the private facilities. For the quantitative phase, all health facilities and health facility workers who have direct contact with healthcare waste management practice participated in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative study participants were taken from the health facilities found in Hossaena town. RESULT Seventeen (3.1%) health facility workers have hand washing facilities. Three hundred ninety-two (72.6%) of the participants agree on the availability of one or more personal protective equipment (PPE) in the facility ''the reason for the absence of some of the PPEs, like boots and goggles, and the shortage of disposable gloves owes to cost inflation from time to time and sometimes absent from the market''. The observational finding shows that colour-coded waste bins are available in 23 (9.6%) rooms. 90% of the sharp containers were reusable, and 100% of the waste storage bins were plastic buckets that were easily cleanable. In 40 (97.56%) health facilities, infectious wastes were collected daily from the waste generation areas to the final disposal points. Two hundred seventy-one (50.2%) of the respondents were satisfied or agreed that satisfactory procedures are available in case of an accident. Only 220 (40.8%) respondents were vaccinated for the Hepatitis B virus. CONCLUSION Hand washing facilities, personal protective equipment and preventive vaccinations are not readily available for health workers. Solid waste segregation practices are poor and showed that solid waste management practices (SWMP) are below the acceptable level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L M Modiba
- Department of Public Health, University of South Africa, College of Human Science, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S M Zuma
- Department of Public Health, University of South Africa, College of Human Science, Pretoria, South Africa
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Jeganathan Y, Asharp T, Nadarajah K. Adsorptive behavior of engineered biochar /hydrochar for tetracycline removal from synthetic wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123452. [PMID: 38286263 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
In this research, engineered biochar and hydrochar derived from paddy husk were compared for the adsorption tetracycline (TC) in water effluents. Biochar was produced at three different pyrolysis temperatures (e.g., 250 °C, 300 °C and 350 °C) while hydrochar was produced using three different HTC temperatures (e.g., 180 °C, 200 °C and 220 °C). The adsorptive experiments were performed for both biochar and hydrochar using well-defined experimental conditions: pH (3); initial TC concentration (10 mg/L); adsorbent dosage (1 g/L); and temperature (27 °C) to study their adsorptive performances (qe in mg/g). After selecting the best qe values for both biochar and hydrochar, both materials were modified using 20% H3PO4. A comprehensive scientific evaluation of both engineered biochar (EBC 350) and hydrochar (EHC 220) was performed using adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, rate-limiting, and thermodynamics tests along with their characterization using FTIR and point of zero charge (pzc). The effects of temperature, dosage, and initial TC concentration on the adsorption process were studied for both EBC 350 and EHC 220. Acid activation improved the adsorptive performance of EHC 220 almost four times (from 1.9 to 7.5 mg/g), whereas adsorptive performance of EBC 350 improved 2.4 times from 3.8 to 9.1 mg/g. The best pH for TC adsorption onto EHC 220 was 5, whereas it was 3 for EBC 350. EBC 350 exhibited a good fit with the Freundlich model, whereas EHC 220 followed the Langmuir model. At 100 mg/L TC concentration, EHC 220 exhibited higher qe value (46.9 mg/g) compared to EBC 350 (41.7 mg/g). The Pseudo-first order kinetic model was the best fit for EHC 220 adsorption, whereas Pseudo-second order model was most suitable for EBC 350. The adsorption mechanisms involved in TC adsorption by EHC 220 included hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effect, and π-π interaction, whereas cation exchange, mass diffusion, and π-π interaction were involved for EBC 350. The results of this study will facilitate the development of cost-effective filters with the incorporation of engineered biochar/engineered hydrochar for the active removal of emerging contaminants, like tetracycline, from wastewater so as to increase its reusable potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanushiya Jeganathan
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
| | - Thusalini Asharp
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
| | - Kannan Nadarajah
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
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Devi P, Dalai AK. Occurrence, distribution, and toxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in biochar, biocrude, and biogas obtained from pyrolysis of agricultural residues. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129293. [PMID: 37295478 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Occurrence, distribution, and toxicity assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pyrolysis steams (biochar, biocrude, and biogas) of three agricultural residues was investigated at pyrolysis temperatures of 400-800 °C. Increasing PAHs formation was observed in the narrow temperature range (500-600 °C) in all feedstocks due to temperature-induced dehydration, decarboxylation, and dehydrogenation reactions. Low molecular weight PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene) were dominant in all product streams while high molecular weight PAHs were found in negligible concentrations. Leaching studies showed that pyrolyzed biochars produced at lower temperatures are more prone to leaching due to the presence of hydrophilic amorphous uncarbonized structures, while the presence of hydrophobic carbonized matrix with denser and stronger polymetallic complex prevents the leaching of PAHs in the high temperature pyrolyzed biochar. Low leaching potential, low toxic equivalency, and permissible total PAHs values in biochar derived from all three feedstocks warrant the broader application and ensure ecological safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmila Devi
- UBC Bioreactor Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Ajay K Dalai
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada.
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Xu W, Liu J, Ding Z, Fu J, Evrendilek F, Xie W, He Y. Dynamic pyrolytic reaction mechanisms, pathways, and products of medical masks and infusion tubes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156710. [PMID: 35718187 PMCID: PMC9212457 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Given the COVID-19 epidemic, the quantity of hazardous medical wastes has risen unprecedentedly. This study characterized and verified the pyrolysis mechanisms and volatiles products of medical mask belts (MB), mask faces (MF), and infusion tubes (IT) via thermogravimetric, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses. Iso-conversional methods were employed to estimate activation energy, while the best-fit artificial neural network was adopted for the multi-objective optimization. MB and MF started their thermal weight losses at 375.8 °C and 414.7 °C, respectively, while IT started to degrade at 227.3 °C. The average activation energies were estimated at 171.77, 232.79, 105.14, and 205.76 kJ/mol for MB, MF, and the first and second IT stages, respectively. Nucleation growth for MF and MB and geometrical contraction for IT best described the pyrolysis behaviors. Their main gaseous products were classified, with a further proposal of their initial cracking mechanisms and secondary reaction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jingyong Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Ziyi Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiawei Fu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fatih Evrendilek
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, 14052, Turkey
| | - Wuming Xie
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yao He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Galadima A, Masudi A, Muraza O. Towards Extraordinary Catalysts for Aromatization of Biomass and Low-Cost C5 Streams. CATALYSIS SURVEYS FROM ASIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10563-022-09364-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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CO2 capture by double metal modified CaO-based sorbents from pyrolysis gases. Chin J Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Medical Waste Treatment Technologies for Energy, Fuels, and Materials Production: A Review. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14238065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The importance of medical waste management has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the increase in medical waste quantity and the significant dangers of these highly infected wastes for human health and the environment. This innovative review focuses on the possibility of materials, gas/liquid/solid fuels, thermal energy, and electric power production from medical waste fractions. Appropriate and promising treatment/disposal technologies, such as (i) acid hydrolysis, (ii) acid/enzymatic hydrolysis, (iii) anaerobic digestion, (vi) autoclaving, (v) enzymatic oxidation, (vi) hydrothermal carbonization/treatment, (vii) incineration/steam heat recovery system, (viii) pyrolysis/Rankine cycle, (ix) rotary kiln treatment, (x) microwave/steam sterilization, (xi) plasma gasification/melting, (xii) sulfonation, (xiii) batch reactor thermal cracking, and (xiv) torrefaction, were investigated. The medical waste generation data were collected according to numerous researchers from various countries, and divided into gross medical waste and hazardous medical waste. Moreover, the medical wastes were separated into categories and types according to the international literature and the medical waste fractions’ percentages were estimated. The capability of the examined medical waste treatment technologies to produce energy, fuels, and materials, and eliminate the medical waste management problem, was very promising with regard to the near future.
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Su G, Ong HC, Ibrahim S, Fattah IMR, Mofijur M, Chong CT. Valorisation of medical waste through pyrolysis for a cleaner environment: Progress and challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 279:116934. [PMID: 33744627 PMCID: PMC9756756 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted great shocks and challenges to the environment, society and economy. Simultaneously, an intractable issue appeared: a considerable number of hazardous medical wastes have been generated from the hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities, constituting a serious threat to public health and environmental sustainability without proper management. Traditional disposal methods like incineration, landfill and autoclaving are unable to reduce environmental burden due to the issues such as toxic gas release, large land occupation, and unsustainability. While the application of clean and safe pyrolysis technology on the medical wastes treatment to produce high-grade bioproducts has the potential to alleviate the situation. Besides, medical wastes are excellent and ideal raw materials, which possess high hydrogen, carbon content and heating value. Consequently, pyrolysis of medical wastes can deal with wastes and generate valuable products like bio-oil and biochar. Consequently, this paper presents a critical and comprehensive review of the pyrolysis of medical wastes. It demonstrates the feasibility of pyrolysis, which mainly includes pyrolysis characteristics, product properties, related problems, the prospects and future challenges of pyrolysis of medical wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcan Su
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hwai Chyuan Ong
- School of Information, Systems and Modelling, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Shaliza Ibrahim
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - I M Rizwanul Fattah
- School of Information, Systems and Modelling, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - M Mofijur
- School of Information, Systems and Modelling, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia; Mechanical Engineering Department, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahad University, Al Khobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Cheng Tung Chong
- China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Lingang, Shanghai, 201306, China
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Jagodzińska K, Yang W, Jönsson PG, Forsgren C. Can torrefaction be a suitable method of enhancing shredder fines recycling? WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 128:211-220. [PMID: 34000691 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effective recycling of metallic waste and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is of crucial importance. Currently used separation and sorting techniques result in the formation of fine residue (usually below 10-20 mm) called shredder fines. Shredder fines contain the so-called 'fluff' (i.e., foam, wood and textile fibres) with metal particles entangled in it. This 'fluff' interferes with sorting techniques and thus reduces the metal recycling rate. For this reason, presently, shredder fines are primarily landfilled, which is not covered by the greater objective of the circular economy; therefore, the need for their recycling emerged. Low-temperature pyrolysis (torrefaction) increases the 'fluff' fragility and thus liberates the metal particles without their substantial oxidation, thereby enabling their recycling. For that reason, in this article, shredder fines torrefaction was performed at the temperature range of 250-450 °C. The process products were comprehensively characterised using, among others, MicroGC (non-condensables), GC/MS (condensables), and ICP-SFMS (char). The possible application of the torrefied shredder fines after the metal sorting was discussed as well. Torrefaction was identified as a promising way of shredder fines recycling, and the torrefied shredder fines after metals sorting have the potential to be used as an ingredient of a raw material mix for cement kilns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Jagodzińska
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Brinellvägen 23, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Weihong Yang
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Brinellvägen 23, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pär Göran Jönsson
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Brinellvägen 23, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christer Forsgren
- Stena Recycling International AB, Fiskhamnsgatan 8B, Göteborg, Sweden
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Chew KW, Chia SR, Chia WY, Cheah WY, Munawaroh HSH, Ong WJ. Abatement of hazardous materials and biomass waste via pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis for environmental sustainability and circular economy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116836. [PMID: 33689952 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The remarkable journey of progression of mankind has created various impacts in the form of polluted environment, amassed heavy metals and depleting resources. This alarming situation demands sustainable energy resources and approaches to deal with these environmental hazards and power deficit. Pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis address both energy and environmental issues caused by civilization and industrialization. The processes use hazardous waste materials including waste tires, plastic and medical waste, and biomass waste such as livestock waste and agricultural waste as feedstock to produce gas, char and pyrolysis oil for energy production. Usage of hazardous materials as pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis feedstock reduces disposal of harmful substances into environment, reducing occurrence of soil and water pollution, and substituting the non-renewable feedstock, fossil fuels. As compared to combustion, pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis have less emission of air pollutants and act as alternative options to landfill disposal and incineration for hazardous materials and biomass waste. Hence, stabilizing heavy metals and solving the energy and waste management problems. This review discusses the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of biomass and harmful wastes to strive towards circular economy and eco-friendly, cleaner energy with minimum waste disposal, reducing negative impact on the planet and creating future possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Wayne Chew
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, Fujian, China.
| | - Shir Reen Chia
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wen Yi Chia
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wai Yan Cheah
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, MAHSA University, 42610, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh
- Chemistry Study Program, Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi 229, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Jalan Sunsuria, Bandar Sunsuria, 43900, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, Fujian, China
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Antoniadou M, Varzakas T, Tzoutzas I. Circular Economy in Conjunction with Treatment Methodologies in the Biomedical and Dental Waste Sectors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 1:563-592. [PMID: 34888552 PMCID: PMC7967779 DOI: 10.1007/s43615-020-00001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
In this review, life cycle assessment (LCA) principles are coupled with circular economy (CE) in order to address LCA examples in the biomedical sector worldwide. The objectives were (1) to explore the application of LCA in the medical, pharmaceutical, and dental fields; (2) to describe the ways of biomedical waste management; (3) to emphasize on the problem of dental waste in private and public dental sectors; and (4) to propose ways of “green circulation” of the dental waste. A literature search was performed using the Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus search engines covering the period from January 2000 until May 2020, corresponding to articles investigating the LCA and circular economy principles and legislation for biomedical and dental waste, their management options, and modern ways of recycling. The results showed that incineration seems to be the best management way option involved despite the mentioned drawbacks in this technology. Different adopted models are well defined for the dental field based on the 3Rs’ module (reduce, reuse, recycle). Replacing disposable products with reusable ones seems to be a good way to tackle the problem of waste in medical and dental sectors. Interventions on the selection and better biomedical and dental waste management will ensure eco-medicine and eco-dentistry of the future. These new terms should be the new philosophies that will change the way these fields operate in the future for the benefit of the professionals/patients and the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antoniadou
- Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Varzakas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Peloponnese, Tripoli, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tzoutzas
- Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Hoslett J, Ghazal H, Katsou E, Jouhara H. The removal of tetracycline from water using biochar produced from agricultural discarded material. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:141755. [PMID: 32889470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
An issue of significant importance worldwide is the contamination of water with antibiotics giving rise to antibiotic resistance in the environment. Antibiotics such as tetracycline are widely used in agriculture, as such they can pollute water courses, providing a means by which environmental bacteria can evolve antibiotic resistance genes. Biochar can form part of a solution as it is a well-known adsorbent. This material can be efficient in the adsorption of a wide range of pollutants and is inexpensive. An innovative heat pipe reactor was used to produce biochar from excess food and garden materials. This biochar was characterised using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analyser (SEM-EDAX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The biochar produced had an adsorption capacity between 2.98 mg/g and 8.23 mg/g for initial tetracycline concentrations of 20 mg/l and 100 mg/l, respectively. The Freundlich isotherm provided the best fit to the experimental data. Kinetics examination revealed a rapid adsorption of tetracycline during the initial stages. The Elovich equation fitted the experimental data well. This adsorbent could therefore be produced at the site of an agricultural enterprise through the pyrolysis of agriculture waste and then used to reduce the infiltration of antibiotics into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hoslett
- Brunel University London, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Heba Ghazal
- Kingston University, School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Evina Katsou
- Brunel University London, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Hussam Jouhara
- Brunel University London, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.
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Optimization of extraction conditions for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons determination in smoked rice using the high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11694-020-00372-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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