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Srivastava A, Sharma A, Jena MK, Vuppaladadiyam AK, Reguyal F, Joshi J, Sharma A, Shah K, Gupta A, Chin BLF, Saptoro A, Sarmah AK. Can pyrolysis handle biomedical wastes?: Assessing the potential of various biomedical waste treatment technologies in tackling pandemics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174167. [PMID: 38917898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174167] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Globally, COVID-19 has not only caused tremendous negative health, social and economic impacts, but it has also led to environmental issues such as a massive increase in biomedical waste. The biomedical waste (BMW) was generated from centralized (hospitals, clinics, and research facilities) and extended (quarantine camps, COVID-19 test camps, and quarantined homes) healthcare facilities. Many effects, such as the possibility of infection spread, unlawful dumping/disposal, and an increase in toxic emissions by common BMW treatment facilities, are conjectured because of the rise in waste generation. However, it is also an opportunity to critically analyze the current BMW treatment scenario and implement changes to make the system more economical and environmentally sustainable. In this review, the waste disposal guidelines of the BMW management infrastructure are critically analyzed for many functional parameters to bring out possible applications and limitations of individual interventions. In addition, an investigation was made to select appropriate technology based on the environmental setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Srivastava
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India
| | - Anita Sharma
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Jena
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | | | - Febelyn Reguyal
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jyeshtharaj Joshi
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai- 400094, India; Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai-19, India
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Waste to Resources Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology & Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur 303007, India; School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Kalpit Shah
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Akhilendra Gupta
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
| | - Bridgid Lai Fui Chin
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Curtin University Malaysia, 250 CDT, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Agus Saptoro
- Energy and Environment Research Cluster, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, 250 CDT, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Ajit K Sarmah
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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Suarez Rivadeneira JE, Suarez Chavarry EB, Ramirez ÍM, Camacho WR, Calderón EV, Astonitas RP, Acosta RCSC, Eli MR, Ventura HKM, Musayón Díaz MP. Generation rate of hospital solid waste from different services: A case study in the province of Bagua, northern Peru. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31814. [PMID: 38867984 PMCID: PMC11167298 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluate the unit generation rate of solid hospital waste at the Gustavo Lanatta Lujan Bagua Support Hospital (HAB). The calculations were based on the weights of hospital waste disposed periodically to the biosafety cell located 7 km from the city of Bagua since 2015. Nineteen services were identified and grouped into three areas: hospitalization area, emergency area and gynecology area, studied according to the group classification of Peruvian regulations. The results show that 92.77 kg/day-1 are generated, 62.26 % are biocontaminated waste, 26.45 % are common waste, 7.7 % are sharp-sharp waste and 3.6 % are special waste. It was also found that only 73.56 % is disposed of in the hospital's biosafety cell. In this sense, this study will contribute to promote the reduction of the entry of hazardous substances into the stream of an adequate waste management and save workers and the environment in the Amazon Region. Therefore, awareness should be raised at all levels of society through various means of communication and education, so that the risks of spreading health hazards can be minimized by improving hospital waste management. In addition, healthcare waste management should be implemented, taking into account the parameters to be monitored, the economic resources to be managed and the national plans for healthcare waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Eduardo Suarez Rivadeneira
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Jr. Atahualpa Nº 1300, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | | | - Ítalo Maldonado Ramirez
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Jr. 1ero de Setiembre N°400, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Wilfredo Ruiz Camacho
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Jr. Sargento Lores N°439, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Edilbrando Vega Calderón
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Calle los Tamarindos Centenario Casa Blanca Mz 7 k3 Lote N°3, Chiclayo, Lambayeque, Peru
| | - Roberto Pérez Astonitas
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Av. Ferdando Belaunde Terry Mz 6 Lote 30, Chiclayo, Lambayeque, Peru
| | - Roberto Carlos Santa Cruz Acosta
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Calle Agropecuaria N°520, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Morales-Rojas Eli
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Jr. Atahualpa Nº 1300, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
- Universidad Nacional Intercultural Fabiola Salazar Leguía de Bagua. Innovación y Transferencia Tecnológica, Calle Agropecuaria N°520, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Heling Kristtel Masgo Ventura
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Av. Héroes del Cenepa 1118, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
| | - Mayra Pamela Musayón Díaz
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Sistemas y Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Jr. El Comercio N°365, Bagua, Amazonas, Peru
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Debrah JK, Dinis MAP. Chemical characteristics of bottom ash from biomedical waste incinerators in Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:568. [PMID: 37058242 PMCID: PMC10102684 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical waste (BMW) incineration is the most used alternative disposal method in developing countries, such as Ghana. The improper disposal of incinerator-generated bottom ash (BA) is a significant concern due to the hazardous nature of waste. A study was conducted at Tema Hospital (TGH) and Asuogyaman Hospital (VRAH) incinerator sites. The BA samples were sent to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Industrial Research, Ghana. The BA samples were weighed with fisher analytical balance, ground, and sieved with standard grade meshes of 120, 100, and 80 to determine the BA particle size distribution. The chemical composition and heavy metals were analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. The results indicated the chemical composition of the analysed BA samples was CaCO3 (49.90%), CaO (27.96%) and MgCO3 (6.02%) for TGH and CaCO3 (48.30%), CaO (27.07%), and SiO2 (6.10%) for VRAH, respectively. The mean concentration (M) (kg m-3) and standard deviation (SD) for TGH in the BA were 7.082 ± 0.478 (Ti), 4.657 ± 0.127 (Zn) and 4.271 ± 1.263 (Fe), while that of VRAH consisted of 10.469 ± 1.588 (Ti), 7.896 ± 2.154 (Fe) and 4.389 ± 0.371 (Zn). Therefore, the heavy metals' mean concentration at the BA is above the WHO permissible limits of soil, i.e., 0.056 kg m-3 (Ti), 0.085 kg m-3 (Pb), 0.100 kg m-3 (Cr) and 0.036 kg m-3 (Cu). Furthermore, the heavy metal mean concentrations of TGH and VRAH present in the BA analysed samples were ranked in descending order: Ti > Zn > Fe and Ti > Fe > Zn, respectively. It is therefore recommended that BA must be properly disposed of because of the hazardous nature of heavy metals present in the analysed samples, which are able to cause environmental and public health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Kofi Debrah
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis
- UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Praça 9 de Abril 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal.
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Siew SW, Musa SM, Sabri N'A, Farida Asras MF, Ahmad HF. Evaluation of pre-treated healthcare wastes during COVID-19 pandemic reveals pathogenic microbiota, antibiotics residues, and antibiotic resistance genes against beta-lactams. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115139. [PMID: 36565841 PMCID: PMC9771581 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The disposal of healthcare waste without prior elimination of pathogens and hazardous contaminants has negative effects on the environment and public health. This study aimed to profile the complete microbial community and correlate it with the antibiotic compounds identified in microwave pre-treated healthcare wastes collected from three different waste operators in Peninsular Malaysia. The bacterial and fungal compositions were determined via amplicon sequencing by targeting the full-length 16S rRNA gene and partial 18S with full-length ITS1-ITS2 regions, respectively. The antibiotic compounds were characterized using high-throughput spectrometry. There was significant variation in bacterial and fungal composition in three groups of samples, with alpha- (p-value = 0.04) and beta-diversity (p-values <0.006 and < 0.002), respectively. FC samples were found to acquire more pathogenic microorganisms than FA and FV samples. Paenibacillus and unclassified Bacilli genera were shared among three groups of samples, meanwhile, antibiotic-resistant bacteria Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis were found in modest quantities. A total of 19 antibiotic compounds were discovered and linked with the microbial abundance detected in the healthcare waste samples. The principal component analysis demonstrated a positive antibiotic-bacteria correlation for genera Pseudomonas, Aerococcus, Comamonas, and Vagococcus, while the other bacteria were negatively linked with antibiotics. Nevertheless, deep bioinformatic analysis confirmed the presence of blaTEM-1 and penP which are associated with the production of class A beta-lactamase and beta-lactam resistance pathways. Microorganisms and contaminants, which serve as putative indicators in healthcare waste treatment evaluation revealed the ineffectiveness of microbial inactivation using the microwave sterilization method. Our findings suggested that the occurrence of clinically relevant microorganisms, antibiotic contaminants, and associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) represent environmental and human health hazards when released into landfills via ARGs transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing Wei Siew
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
| | - Siti Munirah Musa
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
| | - Nurul 'Azyyati Sabri
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia; Group of Environment, Microbiology and Bioprocessing (GERMS), Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Fazli Farida Asras
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia; Group of Environment, Microbiology and Bioprocessing (GERMS), Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
| | - Hajar Fauzan Ahmad
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia; Group of Environment, Microbiology and Bioprocessing (GERMS), Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
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Adsorption Capacity and Desorption Efficiency of Activated Carbon for Odors from Medical Waste. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020785. [PMID: 36677843 PMCID: PMC9866597 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Five types of odor-emitting exhaust gases from medical waste were selected, and their adsorption capacity and desorption efficiency were investigated using activated carbon. The selected gases included polar gases (hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3)) and non-polar gases (acetaldehyde (AA), methyl mercaptan (MM), and trimethylamine (TMA))). Commercial activated carbon with a specific surface area of 2276 m2/g was used as the adsorbent. For the removal of odor from medical waste, we investigated: (1) the effective adsorption capacity of a single gas (<1 ppm), (2) the effect of the adsorbed NH3 gas concentration and flow rate, and (3) the desorption rate using NH3 gas. The values of the effective adsorption capacity of the single gas were in the following order: H2S < NH3 < AA < MM < TMA, at 0.2, 4.2, 6.3, 6.6, and 35.7 mg/g, respectively. The results indicate that polar gases have a lower effective adsorption capacity than that of non-polar gases, and that the size of the gas molecules and effective adsorption capacity exhibit a proportional relationship. The effective adsorption performance of NH3 gas showed an increasing trend with NH3 concentration. Therefore, securing optimal conditions for adsorption/desorption is imperative for the highly efficient removal of odor from medical waste.
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Bhadouria VS, Ray D, Akhtar MJ, Munshi P. An approach towards enhancing the role of microwave heating in low-level radioactive waste management. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2022.104180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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A Novel Approach of Bioesters Synthesis through Different Technologies by Highlighting the Lowest Energetic Consumption One. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13234190. [PMID: 34883692 PMCID: PMC8659602 DOI: 10.3390/polym13234190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acids esters have a wide application as bioplasticizers and biolubricants in different industries, obtained mainly in classic batch reactors, through an equilibrium complex reaction, that involves high temperatures, long reaction times, vigorously stirring, and much energy consumption. To overcome these shortcomings, we synthesized a series of fatty acid esters (soybean oil fatty acids being the acid components with various hydroxyl compounds) through novel low energy consumption technologies using a bubble column reactor, a microwave field reactor and for comparison meaning, a classic batch reactor. The obtained bioesters physicochemical properties were similar to one another, a good concordance among their rheological properties was obtained, but the energetic consumption is lower when using the bubble column or the microwave reactors instead of the classical batch reactor.
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Olaniyi FC, Ogola JS, Tshitangano TG. Efficiency of Health Care Risk Waste Management in Rural Healthcare Facilities of South Africa: An Assessment of Selected Facilities in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16122199. [PMID: 31234379 PMCID: PMC6616489 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Waste generated form healthcare facilities is a potential source of health risks to the public, if it is not properly handled from the point of generation to disposal. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) management in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifteen healthcare facilities were selected in Vhembe District for this study. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observation and pictures. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while the quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25. In all the healthcare facilities; mismanagement of HCRW was noted at different points along the management chain. Poor segregation, overfilling of waste bins, inappropriate transportation and storage of waste in substandard storage rooms were observed in the facilities. All the waste from the district are transported to a private-owned treatment facility outside the district, where they are mainly incinerated. Enforcement of healthcare risk waste guidelines, provision of standardized equipment for temporary storage, empowerment of each healthcare facility to treat at least some of the waste, and employment of non-burn techniques for treatment of waste are recommended for more efficient management of healthcare risk waste in Vhembe District.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foluke C Olaniyi
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
| | - Jason S Ogola
- Department of Mining and Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
| | - Takalani G Tshitangano
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
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