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F S Norris

Publications and source records attributed to F S Norris.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Medical waste disposal: to burn or to landfill?

Conflicting regulations and varying definitions with regard to medical wastes and their disposal have long been a source of confusion for health care institutions attempting to resolve this problem. Presented for the interest of other concerned agencies are guidelines recently drafted by the task force on medical waste disposal of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the handling and disposal of medical wastes.

Facility Regulation and Control↗

Guidelines for defining and disposing of medical waste.

Considerations of ecology, public health hazards, and rising health costs have been critically reevaluated in the matter of appropriate medical waste disposal at nursing homes and hospitals. The Maryland Department of Health has intermittently received reports from the public of human tissues, bandages, and other inappropriate, unaesthetic materials visible in landfill areas. The Department has experienced increasing concern for communicable disease transmission, e.g. hepatitis, to landfill waste handlers and to the general public. Incineration had been considered as an alternative to landfilling of medical wastes, but fear of increasing hospital costs dampened initial enthusiasm for this possibility, particularly when coupled with fears of air pollution by smoke and noxious fumes generated by incineration. Other problems requiring resolution were conflicting definitions of medical waste and disposal requirements by federal, state, and local regulatory bodies. On-site incineration of all waste generated at hospitals is proposed as an economical and ecologically feasible solution to this public health problem in Maryland.

California↗

Women doctors.

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Education, Medical↗