Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Medical Waste Disposal”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,027 records · Page 57Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The effect of amalgam separators on mercury loading to wastewater treatment plants.

Mercury (Hg) release from dental offices has become an acute issue for the dental profession and has resulted in efforts by regulators to mandate both the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) as well as the installation of amalgam separators. Concern has been expressed by some regarding the efficacy of amalgam separators in reducing the Hg loads to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Data from several Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) serving areas with installed bases of separators suggest these devices can substantially reduce Hg burdens to WWTPs. The data consists of Hg levels in sewer sludge (biosolids) and in some cases includes Hg concentrations in WWTP influent and effluent. Data comes from various geographical locations, and suggest separators can have a positive effect in reducing the amount of Hg reaching WWTPs.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of decontamination procedures used in primary care.

This study examined decontamination and infection control procedures in general practice. Four primary care trusts participated with a response rate of 80 per cent. The study showed evidence of poor compliance with national standards and examples of unsafe practice.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2004

Estimated quantity of mercury in amalgam waste water residue released by dentists into the sewerage system in Ontario, Canada.

AIM: To estimate the quantity of dental amalgam that Ontario dentists release into waste water. METHODS: Information from a self-administered postal survey of Ontario dentists was combined with the results of other experiments on the weight of amalgam restorations and the quantity of amalgam waste that bypasses solids separators in dental offices. Algorithms were developed to compute the quantity of amalgam waste leaving dental offices when dentists used or did not use ISO 11143 amalgam particle separators. RESULTS: A total of 878 (44.0%) of 1,994 sampled dentists responded to the survey. It was estimated that Ontario dentists removed 1,880.32 kg of amalgam (940.16 kg of mercury) during 2002, of which 1,128.19 kg of amalgam (564.10 kg of mercury) would have been released into waste water in Ontario if no dentists had been using a separator. Approximately 22% of the dentists reported using amalgam particle separators. On the basis of current use of amalgam separators, it was estimated that 861.78 kg of amalgam (430.89 kg of mercury or 170.72 mg per dentist daily) was released in 2002. The use of amalgam separators by all dentists could reduce the quantity of amalgam (and mercury) entering waste water to an estimated 12.41 kg (6.21 kg of mercury, or 2.46 mg per dentist per day). CONCLUSION: Amalgam particles separators can dramatically reduce amalgam and mercury loading in waste water released from dental offices.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Needlestick injuries in the United States. Epidemiologic, economic, and quality of life issues.

Best evidence from prospective studies with aggressive monitoring suggests that the incidence of needlestick injuries is significantly higher than reported through passive surveillance, ranging from 14 to 839 needlestick injuries per 1,000 health care workers per year. The economic cost of managing these injuries is substantial, ranging from dollars 51 to dollars 3,766 (2002 U.S. dollars). This amount excludes the cost of treating the long-term complications of needlestick injuries, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C infections, each of which can cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars to manage. In addition, health care workers experience significant fear, anxiety, and emotional distress following a needlestick injury, sometimes resulting in occupational and behavior changes. Despite the availability of engineered injury prevention devices, the implementation of these new technologies has been mixed in part because of the perception that these devices are costly and cost ineffective. However, widespread use of safety devices might be more easily justified on economic grounds when the full clinical and economic benefits of these new technologies are considered, especially within the context of injury prevention.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Needlestick injuries.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2005

[Safety destruction of tetramethylene disulfotetramine and its medical waste].

OBJECTIVE: To develop suitable methods for safety destruction of tetramethylene disulfotetramine (TETS) and the medical wastes polluted by TETS. METHODS: The chemical stability of TETS was evaluated under the conditions of acid, alkali and high temperature. TETS was treated with sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid under various treatment conditions, i.e. concentration, temperature and time, followed by determining remaining TETS using gas chromatograms to estimating the degradation efficiency of TETS. TETS was put into ampoule and heated under the different conditions of temperature and time. After heat treatment, TETS residue was determined. For evaluating the absorption factor of active carbon to TETS in water and blood, active carbon was added into the water and blood with content of TETS, incubated at room temperature for 24 hours, and then determined the remaining TETS in water and blood. RESULTS: The complete degradation of TETS was achieved by one of the following treatments: heating with 6.0 mol/L hydrochloric acid at 100 degrees C for half an hour, heating with 3.0 mol/L hydrochloric acid or 6.0 mol/L sodium hydroxide at 100 degrees C for 3 hours, mixing with concentrated sulfuric acid or nitric acid at room temperature for 24 hours, and dry heating at 300 degrees C for 4.5 hours. Active carbon showed a marked effectiveness in absorbing the TETS in blood and water, with the mean absorption efficiency of over 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that TETS powder should be degraded by acid or alkali, and that the solid medical wastes polluted by TETS should be destroyed at high temperature. For the blood and water having contents of TETS, the active carbon should be used as to absorbing the TETS and then be destroyed at high temperature.

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗