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PubMed1991

Management of mixed wastes from biomedical research.

Mixed radioactive and chemical wastes generated by biomedical research were characterized, and various treatment methods for reducing their volume were evaluated. These wastes consist primarily of organic solvents used in the extraction and purification of radiolabeled biomolecules that are contaminated with low levels of the long-lived radionuclides, 3H and 14C. The Rockefeller University's mixed wastes fall into three broad chemical categories: phenol/chloroform, acetonitrile/water, and mixtures of miscellaneous solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and other hazardous chemicals. Currently, with the exception of liquid scintillation cocktails (deregulated in 1981), there are no commercial disposal outlets for mixed wastes nor may they be stored legally for more than 90-180 d. Most of these mixed wastes can be effectively rendered into nonradioactive chemical and aqueous radioactive waste, both of which can be disposed of in accordance with existing regulations. However, to do so requires a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B permit for licensure as a treatment, storage, and disposal facility. For many university research facilities, this may require financial and personnel resources disproportionate to the small amounts of waste produced. Also, such treatment, if not done properly, presents potential occupational hazards from the direct handling of waste materials. Deregulation of certain mixed wastes would be the safest, most cost-effective, and practical method for dealing with many mixed wastes of biomedical origin. In any event, a national regulatory solution must be found.

Hazardous Substances↗
PubMed1983

[Hygienic aspects of animal carcass disposal].

Summarising, it can be stated that the disposal of carcases primarily represents a problem of epidemic hygiene but it also concerns fodder and food hygiene as well as the hygiene of waste water and air purity. Factories under the obligation to satisfy the sanitary demands mentioned and ensure low-cost operation at the same time, are occasionally confronted with great difficulties. In view of the present upward trend of the energy costs, these problems will not become less.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2002

Excreta disposal in Dar-es-Salaam.

The sociocultural and socioeconomic situation of sanitation in Dar-es-Salaam (Dsm), Tanzania, was studied with explicit emphasis on pit-latrines. Without considering the sociocultural conditions, the so-called best solution might not be the right one. Therefore, in order to achieve the intended goal, a literature review, a questionnaire survey, and personal visits to the chosen study areas were done. In total, 207 household questionnaires were filled in 16 areas of the city. Interviewers did house-to-house visits and questionnaires were filled out on the spot. Results indicated that the city population is about 3.8 million at present, with over 80% of the dwellers using pit-latrines; some 3% use septic tanks with soakage pits, about 6% are connected to the sewerage system, and 1% have no excreta disposal facility. Difficulties faced include dismal budget allocations, fragmentation of sanitation activities among subsectors, lack of or poor sanitation record keeping, unsatisfactory machinery for septic tank and pit-latrine emptying, lack of a clear policy on pit-latrine handling and, in competition for resources, low priority is accorded to an excreta disposal system among the people. City residents will continue to use the pit-latrines for a long time to come. Reusing the fecal sludge is not known by most city dwellers and is influenced by sociocultural habits. To prevent groundwater pollution and to recover useful products in human excreta and urine, ecological sanitation toilets and anaerobic digesters offer a good option.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hazardous materials management and control in clinical laboratories of small hospitals.

Rising fears of health hazards associated with exposure to chemical and biological wastes have focused attention on controlling clinical laboratory wastes. Governmental regulation of management and disposal practices has created special concerns for small clinical laboratories. Responses to a questionnaire sent to managers of clinical laboratories in small hospitals are reported. These responses indicate concern about maintaining compliance with government regulations that affect managing hazardous materials. Laboratory managers consider these regulations as necessary but have difficulty keeping abreast of constant changes. They also view the rising costs related to these regulations as a major problem for future laboratory operations.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Drugs and health. 2. Study on the presence, use, storage and disposal of drugs in a sample of families in Adria (Rovigo) Local Health Unit 31, Venetian region].

As part of a health education scheme for the schools on "Drugs and Health", a questionnaire was distributed to a number of pupils in order to ascertain the domestic presence, use, conservation, and disposal of drugs. The questionnaire proved a very effective system for the extension of the educational project to the families of the pupils, but the information thus gathered was only of limited value. On the average, in the family 12.8 different type of drugs were present, mainly ethical drugs (76.6%). Most drugs were Articulars, Analgesics-antipyretics and Bronchopulmonary drugs. Only 30.2% of the drugs kept at home were currently used. Self-treatment (14.9%) and self-prescription (8.1%) were noted, as well as improper use of the drugs (5.9%). No answer to the questionnaire mentioned the presence of expired drugs: probably they were disposed of during the survey at home. Although these facts showed the positive effects of the educational project, nonetheless it was not possible to establish the real number of drugs kept at home. The way the answers to the questionnaire were biased and the fact that it was meant to be part of the project, have reduced the objectivity of the information thus obtained, underlining, however, its educational value.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Toxicological findings in a death involving hydrogen sulfide].

A case of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a sewage disposal plant is described. Hydrogen sulfide levels were determined in several postmortem body tissues and fluids using gas chromatography with a flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). The concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the blood, muscle, liver, lung, kidney, heart and brain were 0.305, 0.690, 1.089, 1.338, 1.170, 1.366 and 0.875 (micrograms/g or ml), respectively. The results are discussed in the light of the existing literature on the toxicological significance of hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Impacts of dredged material disposal on a tropical soft-bottom benthic assemblage.

The soft-bottom benthic macrofauna in a spoil-ground of dredged material in Cleveland Bay, North Queensland, Australia, was studied to detect possible impacts of the disposal of sediments. The spatial distribution of the assemblage was studied in relation to the source of the impact at 28 stations on four occasions during 1998 and 1999. Additionally, environmental variables were measured on each occasion at each station. Macrobenthic assemblages inside the spoil-ground were different from assemblages outside the spoil ground only immediately after (15 days) the disposal of dredged material. Given the decrease in the abundance of organisms and number of species, it is suggested that this effect was due to direct burial of the macrobenthic assemblage inside the spoil-ground. Macrobenthic assemblages inside the spoil ground were not different from assemblages outside the spoil ground 3 months after dumping. These results suggest that the soft-bottom macrobenthic assemblages may respond quickly to the disturbance associated with the dumping of dredged material.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from waste and biomass to energy plants.

Following the Kyoto protocol with respect to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases emissions, and EU energy policy and sustainability in waste management, there has been an increased interest in the reduction of emissions from waste disposal operations. From the point of view of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, waste incineration and waste co-combustion are very acceptable methods for waste disposal. In order to achieve very low N2O emissions from waste incineration, particularly for waste with higher nitrogen content (e.g. sewage sludge), two factors are important: temperature of incineration over 900 degrees C and avoiding the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) de-NO(X) method based on urea or ammonia treatments. The more modern selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems for de-NO(X) give rise to negligible sources of N2O.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1993

A disposable choice for hospital waste.

"On-site incineration is becoming an increasingly important alternative for the treatment and disposal of institutional waste. Incineration reduces the weight and volume of most institutional solid waste by 90 to 95 percent, sterilizes pathogenic waste, detoxifies chemical waste, converts obnoxious waste (such as animal carcasses) into innocuous ash, and provides a substantial reduction in off-site disposal costs, making on-site incineration highly cost effective. Many systems have payback periods of less than one year. In addition, on-site incineration reduces the need to depend on off-site disposal contractors, which, in turn, minimizes potential exposures and liabilities associated with illegal or improper waste disposal activities." At this time, the hospital has found its best method for the treatment of infectious and noninfectious medical waste. It is not a perfect method, but all current technologies have limitations. There are several promisingly innovative approaches being pursued; however, they are only in developmental stages. "Winston-Salem, Forsyth Memorial Hospital is reducing infectious wastes ... with an innovative microwave system being used for the first time in the United States. Once the waste is run through the microwave system, the infectious content is destroyed. As a result, ninety percent of the hospital's infectious waste can be sent to the local landfill, which saves more than $200,000 a year in transport and disposal costs. The hospital hopes the $650,000 German system will pay for itself in three years." It is hoped that these new technologies will progress into reliable treatment options for medical waste during the 1990s. In the meantime, our hospital will continue to pursue refinements in its on-site operation, which is already providing cost savings, improved safety, and environmental benefits.

Alabama↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Handling and disposal of infectious waste in the office setting.

Anyone who generates infectious waste must now comply with infectious waste regulations, which vary throughout the nation and are changing rapidly. The orthopaedic nurse in the office setting must keep informed of these changes, and may also be the key to complete and correct compliance with the rules and regulations. Following a proper infectious waste protocol in the office requires an understanding of the infectious waste rules and guidelines as they apply in your state. Before choices can be made on how to comply with the guidelines, you need to assess your practice and the kinds of waste it generates.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Options and processes for spent catalyst handling and utilization.

The quantity of spent hydroprocessing catalysts discarded as solid wastes in the petroleum refining industries has increased remarkably in recent years due to a rapid growth in the hydroprocessing capacity to meet the rising demand for low-sulfur fuels. Due to their toxic nature, spent hydroprocessing catalysts have been branded as hazardous wastes, and the refiners are experiencing pressure from environmental authorities to handle them safely. Several alternative methods such as reclamation of metals, rejuvenation and reuse, disposal in landfills and preparation of useful materials using spent catalysts as raw materials are available to deal with the spent catalyst problem. The technical feasibility as well as the environmental and economic aspects of these options are reviewed. In addition, details of two bench-scale processes, one for rejuvenation of spent hydroprocessing catalysts, and the other for producing non-leachable synthetic aggregate materials that were developed in this laboratory, are presented in this paper.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1985

Waste disposal technologies for polychlorinated biphenyls.

Improper practices in the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) wastes by land burial, chemical means and incineration distribute these chemicals and related compounds such as polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) throughout the environment. The complete range of methods for disposal that have been proposed and are in use are examined and analyzed, with emphasis given to the two most commonly used methods: land burial and incineration. The understanding of aquifer contamination caused by migration of PCBs from subsurface burial sites requires a description of the physical, chemical and biological processes governing transport in unsaturated and saturated soils. For this purpose, a model is developed and solved for different soil conditions and external driving functions. The model couples together the fundamental transport phenomena for heat, mass, and moisture flow within the soil. To rehabilitate a contaminated aquifer, contaminated groundwaters are withdrawn through drainage wells, PCBs are extracted with solvents or activated carbon and treated by chemical, photochemical or thermal methods. The chemical and photochemical methods are reviewed, but primary emphasis is devoted to the use of incineration as the preferred method of disposal. After discussing the formation of PCDFs and PCDDs during combustion from chloroaromatic, chloroaliphatic, as well as organic and inorganic chloride precursors, performance characteristics of different thermal destructors are presented and analyzed. To understand how this information can be used, basic design equations are developed from governing heat and mass balances that can be applied to the construction of incinerators capable of more than 99.99% destruction with minimal to nondetectable levels of PCDFs and PCDDs.

Benzofurans↗
PubMed2006

Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae escaping from discarded asparagus: data in support of a pathway risk analysis.

This research was undertaken to gather data in support of an assessment of the likelihood that Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a pest of asparagus, Asparagus officinalis L., and other crops, could escape from the pathway followed by asparagus from the field to the consumer. Asparagus that is destroyed by cooking and consumption, being run through a trash compactor or garbage disposal, or being buried in a landfill probably cannot support development of C. decolora larvae. Much asparagus is discarded in dumpsters, however, and the time between disposal and removal to the landfill provides an opportunity for C. decolora to escape into the environment. Results of this study indicate that C. decolora cannot survive to the pupal stage on rotten asparagus, and survival on dried asparagus is low. However, larvae can survive at least 1 wk on both types of deteriorating asparagus held at 23.5 degrees C. In field trials, a small percentage of C. decolora larvae crawled out of a dumpster filled with asparagus after 1 wk.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Problems associated with industrial waste and its disposal].

Here it is only possible to broach some important problems related to the production and disposal of industrial waste. I hope that I have succeeded in illustrating how dynamic the processes involved are, and how difficult it is for the administrative authorities to intervent in the cycle between the useful product - waste - useful product. Nevertheless, I feel that we have improved considerably our knowledge in this field during the last ten years and that the facilities developed by the Federal States and private industries for the control and elimination of dangerous waste have provided a basis for the future progress.

Germany, West↗
PubMed2000

Abundance of polymers degrading microorganisms in a sea-based solid waste disposal site.

In order to assess the degradability of plastics in solid waste disposal landfill sites, microbial populations capable of degrading five kinds of plastic-constituting polymers, poly epsilon-caprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and cellulose acetate (CA), in a sea-based solid waste disposal site were investigated. Enumeration of aerobic and anaerobic polymers-degrading microorganisms (PDMs) was performed against to total 8 leachate samples, which were seasonally collected from the facultative pretreatment pond and the aerated lagoon. Both aerobic and anaerobic PDMs for natural polymers, PHB and CA, were found in all of the samples, while those for chemically-synthesized polymers, PCL, PLA and PEG, could not be always detected. In most cases, the ratios of the PHB- and CA-degraders to the heterotrophic bacterial population were more than 0.1%. On the other hand, the ratios of PCL-, PLA- and PEG-degraders were often much lower. These data indicate that the plastics degradation potential is commonly present in the studied disposal site, and that the degradation potential for plastics composed of chemically-synthesized polymers is inferior to that of natural polymers. Population sizes of the PDMs correlated to those of heterotrophic bacteria, and the counts of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and PDMs in the aerated lagoon tended to be higher than those of anaerobic ones, indicating that the aeration of the leachate resulted in the activation of growth of whole aerobic microbial community including the PDMs.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2002

An initial radiation safety needs assessment of Costa Rica: the South Texas Chapter of the Health Physics Society's strategic planning appraisal for participation in the "Radiation Safety Without Borders" initiative.

In response to the Health Physics Society's recent 'radiation safety without borders" initiative, the South Texas Chapter of the Health Physics Society selected Costa Rica as its partner country of choice. To develop an understanding of the radiation safety needs of this country, the fall 2001 University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Environmental Radiation and Radioactivity class was tasked with the assignment of assessing the possible radiation safety needs and concerns for this country. The assignment culminated in a class presentation to the membership of the South Texas Chapter during its annual fall meeting. Using library and web based resources, tile students reviewed a number of public health and radiation-related topics. Life expectancies were found to be equivalent to the United States, even though significant differences in per capita health expenditures were noted. Costa Rica exhibited lower population mortality rates from major causes such as cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and external sources. Maternal and infant mortality rates were found to be much higher in Costa Rica than in the United States. Naturally occurring radiation sources such as uranium deposits were not identified as apparent major radiation issues of concern, although ultraviolet radiation exposures are consistently high. Several recent events in the country and the region involving patient overexposures suggest that concerns are likely focused on ensuring the proper use and maintenance of healing arts radiation equipment. The lack of available information on radioactive waste disposal suggests that waste handling also may be an issue warranting attention. The exercise proved to be very educational for the students, and the information gathered will serve to focus the Chapter's efforts when technical exchanges are initiated. The importance of linking this initiative to other existing programs within the country is also discussed.

Costa Rica↗
PubMed1996

Public perceptions of a radioactively contaminated site: concerns, remediation preferences, and desired involvement.

A public attitudes survey was conducted in neighborhoods adjacent to a radioactively contaminated site whose remediation is now under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy's Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The survey's purpose was to ascertain levels of actual and desired public involvement in the remediation process; to identify health, environmental, economic, and future land-use concerns associated with the site; and to solicit remediation strategy preferences. Surface water and groundwater contamination, desire for public involvement, and potential health risks were found to be the most highly ranked site concerns. Preferred remediation strategies included treatment of contaminated soil and excavation with off-site disposal. Among on-site remediation strategies, only institutional controls that leave the site undisturbed and do not require additional excavation of materials were viewed favorably. Cost of remediation appeared to influence remediation strategy preference; however, no strategy was viewed as a panacea. Respondents were also concerned with protecting future generations, better assessment of risks to health and the environment, and avoiding generation of additional contaminated materials.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2001

Chemistry and specifications of pesticides.

This report presents the conclusions of a WHO Expert Committee commissioned to make recommendations on specifications for pesticides used in public health, with a view to promoting the manufacture and use of high-quality products that are both effective against susceptible vectors of disease and acceptable in terms of safety. These specifications serve mainly for purchase and quality-control purposes, but may also be useful for product registration by WHO Member States. The text includes an outline of the objectives and achievements of the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) and an overview of recent trends in pesticide usage in the various WHO regions. Analytical methods and quality control of pesticides in developing countries are discussed, and the Committee's recommendations for specifications for various types of pesticides are presented. The Committee also considered pesticide containers and packaging, marking and storage, as well as the problems of disposal of unusable pesticides and their containers. Recommendations for continued collaboration between WHO and other organizations are summarized, as are the Committee's more general recommendations for WHO's future work in the area of pesticides. Annexed to the report are the Committee's recommendations for changes to existing specifications and methods, for new pesticides and formulations, and for new methods.

Agrochemicals↗