Problems of disinfection and processing of medical waste

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of medical waste management in Ukraine. As medical waste is hazardous, it partially reflects the handling of dangerous waste components, such as chemicals used in medicine, heavy metals wastes, and other separately collected waste components.

Particular attention should be paid to medical waste because it can be not only a source of infectious but also toxic pollution. It can also contain very high concentrations of toxic compounds (cytostatics, antibiotics, and other drugs) and radioactive substances, which have a negative impact on human health and the environment. The amount of drugs and products of their metabolism that pollute the planet's water resources is increasing all over the world. That is why the problem of hazardous medical waste management in Ukraine needs to be solved.

We have carried out monitoring of medical waste, effective methods of disposal, and storage of waste within the dental medical center. The classification of pharmaceutical and medical wastes and ways of reducing the environmental impact of medical wastes are researched.

Biological waste, dressing material, polymer waste, metal, glass, chemical waste, mercury, X-ray film, paper, rubber, plaster casts, household waste were found among the medical waste of the dental clinic. The largest group of waste by weight in morphological composition are polymers (syringes, gloves, saliva ejector, etc.).

Hygienic and ecological assessment of waste disinfection methods is presented and relevant recommendations are provided. The higher efficiency of autoclaving in comparison with chemical disinfection of medical waste according to certain regulatory parameters is proved. Because the chemical disinfection does not guarantee the complete destruction of the infectious agent, it is recommended only as a temporary method of waste disinfecting with the following packaging and labeling for special disinfection.