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PubMed1999

Risk management and pollution prevention: thinking outside the box.

The Medical University of South Carolina's risk management department received a 12-month grant from South Carolina's General Assembly "Hazardous Waste Management Research Fund" for the purpose of identifying pollution prevention opportunities within South Carolina healthcare facilities. One hundred and one healthcare facilities were invited to participate in this study. Facilities ranged in size from zero-licensed beds (clinics) to more than 300 beds. Seventy-six South Carolina facilities (75%) participated in this project.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1986

Hospitals and hazardous wastes.

Much attention surrounds the volatile subject of hazardous waste management in our society--What is it? What can/should we do about it? How should we pay for it? What happens when these wastes are mismanaged? Experience shows that in hospitals: (1) There is a great deal of confusion and misinformation about the extent of responsibility for hazardous waste disposal; and (2) There are direct violations of regulations ranging from minor administrative infractions to ones that seriously threaten the environment and human life. This article examines the confusion surrounding the management of hazardous waste by hospitals and offers some management guidance.

Hospital Administration↗
PubMed2002

Wastewater management in a cane molasses distillery involving bioresource recovery.

Waste management involving bioresource recovery in a cane molasses-based distillery engaged in the manufacture of rectified spirit (alcohol) is described. The spentwash generated from the distillation of fermenter wash is highly acidic (pH 4.0-4.3) with high rates of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand (BOD: 52-58, COD: 92-100 kg/m3) and suspended solids (2.0-2.5 kg/m3). Biogas is recovered from high strength raw spentwash through the full-scale application of a biomethanation system as pretreatment option, comprising anaerobic fixed film reactors. This, combined with subsequent concentration through multiple effect evaporators (MEE), and utilization of concentrated effluent for biocomposting of pressmud (another by-product of the industry) for production of biomanure contributes to the elimination of effluent discharges.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed2005

Driving forces for import of waste for energy recovery in Sweden.

Between 1996 and 2002, the Swedish import of so-called yellow waste for energy recovery increased. The import mainly consisted of separated wood waste and mixes of used wood and paper and/or plastics that was combusted in district heat production plants (DHPPs). Some mixed waste was imported to waste incineration plants for energy recovery (10% of the import of yellow waste for energy recovery in 2002). The import came primarily from Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and Finland. We identified six underlying driving forces for this recent increase of imported waste which are outlined and their interactive issues discussed. --The energy system infrastructure, which enables high energy recovery in Sweden. --The energy taxation, where high Swedish taxes on fossil fuels make relatively expensive solid biofuels the main alternative for base load production of district heat. --The quality of the waste-derived fuels, which has been higher in the exporting countries than in Sweden. --The bans on landfilling within Europe and the shortage of waste treatment capacity. --Taxes on waste management in Europe. --Gate fee differences between exporting countries and Sweden. In the future, the overall strength of these driving forces will probably be weakened. A Swedish tax on waste incineration is being investigated. In other European countries, the ambition to reach the Kyoto targets and increase the renewable electricity production could improve the competitiveness of waste-derived fuels in comparison with fossil fuels. Swedish DHPPs using waste-derived fuels will experience higher costs after the Waste Incineration Directive is fully implemented. The uncertainty about European waste generation and treatment capacity, however, might have a large influence on the future gate fees and thus also on the yellow waste import into Sweden.

Commerce↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trends in space life support.

Considerable progress has been made in recent years on development of candidate physico-chemical components for use in regenerative life support systems (LSS) for future extended-duration-mission spacecraft; these life support systems provide air revitalization including carbon dioxide reduction, water reclamation, and limited waste management. For still longer duration manned space flights, such as a permanently inhabited space station, it is generally recognized that development of biological life support systems capable of generating food and regenerating wastes will be essential to reduce logistics costs.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2005

Problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: To identify problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand for future development. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was done in 39 hospitals during June and July 2002 by interviewing medical personnel on knowledge and attitude in management of medical waste, observation of practice and checking the amount of medical waste in waste bags. Certain laboratory investigations were done in dustmen. RESULTS: The amount of medical waste was 0.41 kilogram per bed per day. Problems identified were inadequate knowledge in management, improper practices, high incidence of sharp injury at work. Laboratory tests in dustmen showed evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in 3.4%, parasites and intestinal pathogens in stools 5.1% and positive for HBsAg in 8.5%. CONCLUSION: Improper management of medical waste was present in all hospitals. Risks of exposure and incidence of infection related to the management were at concerned levels. Education and practice guidelines are needed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Reduction in radioactive material use and waste generation at the National Institutes of Health.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented an enhanced and comprehensive program to reduce the use of radioactive materials and to minimize the generation of radioactive and mixed wastes. The primary drivers for this program were increasing waste management costs, difficulties in disposing of certain types of radioactive wastes, particularly mixed wastes, and the increasing burden of managing radioactive materials in accordance with new regulatory requirements. These minimization efforts, coupled with the development of new on-site waste treatment options and the use of commercially available waste processing facilities, have resulted in significant reductions in the use of radioactive materials in bench research and the resultant amounts of radioactive and mixed waste generated and disposed off-site. A survey of users of radioactive materials was conducted to examine the reasons for this reduction and to predict future ordering trends. The primary factors contributing to reductions in ordering appear to be rapidly increasing use of non-radioactive research techniques, and increasingly burdensome safety and security regulations governing the use of radioactive material, which tend to discourage their use. The downward trends in use and disposal of radioactive materials at the NIH appear to be continuing.

Medical Waste Disposal↗
PubMed2005

Analyses of livestock production, waste storage, and pathogen levels and prevalences in farm manures.

Survey results describing the levels and prevalences of zoonotic agents in 1,549 livestock waste samples were analyzed for significance with livestock husbandry and farm waste management practices. Statistical analyses of survey data showed that livestock groups containing calves of <3 months of age, piglets, or lambs had higher prevalences and levels of Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli O157 in their wastes. Younger calves that were still receiving milk, however, had significantly lower levels and prevalence of E. coli O157. Furthermore, when wastes contained any form of bedding, they had lowered prevalences and levels of both pathogenic Listeria spp. and Campylobacter spp. Livestock wastes generated by stock consuming a diet composed principally of grass were less likely to harbor E. coli O157 or Salmonella spp. Stocking density did not appear to influence either the levels or prevalences of bacterial pathogens. Significant seasonal differences in prevalences were detected in cattle wastes; Listeria spp. were more likely to be isolated in March to June, and E. coli O157 was more likely to be found in May and June. Factors such as livestock diet and age also had significant influence on the levels and prevalences of some zoonotic agents in livestock wastes. A number of the correlations identified could be used as the basis of a best-practice disposal document for farmers, thereby lowering the microbiological risks associated with applying manures of contaminated livestock to land.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Heavy metals mobility in harbour contaminated sediments: the case of Port-en-Bessin.

Metallic contaminants associated with sediments showed various behaviours depending on physicochemical conditions. A contaminated sediment core from a harbour in the Bay of Seine was sampled to derive information about metal solubilization from anoxic sediment. In these anaerobic surroundings, physicochemical processes depended on the organic matter cycle, on vertical variation of redox conditions and on precipitation conditions of iron and manganese. In the studied core, anoxic conditions were developed at -15 cm depth. A three-step sequential extraction procedure, modified from the BCR method (now the SM&T), was applied to the anoxic sediment in order to evaluate the potential mobility of fixed metals. Zinc was the most labile metal, recovered in the first extraction stages, and was associated with the non-residual fraction of sediment. Lead was the least labile metal, with up to 70% associated with the residual fraction of the sediment. Copper was associated with organic matter, and its mobility was controlled by the concentration and degradation of the organic fraction. Discharge of organic-rich dredged sediments at sea results in degradation of contained organic matter and may affect the environmental impact of these metals significantly. These results therefore help to improve the waste management of such contaminated sediments.

France↗
PubMed2004

Uranium mill tailings: nuclear waste and natural laboratory for geochemical and radioecological investigations.

Uranium mill tailings (UMT) are a high volume, low specific activity radioactive waste typically disposed in surface impoundments. This review focuses on research on UMT and related earth materials during the past decade relevant to the assessment of: (1) mineral hosts of radionuclides; (2) the use of soil analogs in predicting long-term fate of radionuclides; (3) microbial and diagenetic processes that may alter radionuclide mobility in the surficial environment; (4) waste-management technologies to limit radionuclide migration; and (5) the impact of UMT on biota.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The municipal solid waste system and solid waste characterization at the municipality of Veles, Macedonia.

A short-term study to characterize the solid waste stream in the Municipality of Veles, Macedonia, was performed during a 1 week period in the summer of 2002. In this study, several important parameters of the municipal solid waste stream were assessed. It was estimated that the average daily generation rate is 1.06+/-0.56 kg/cap/day, while the specific weights of the uncompacted and compacted solid waste are approximately 140.5 kg/m3 and 223 kg/m3, respectively. Furthermore, it was estimated that the daily generated volume of uncompacted waste is 7.5+/-4 L/cap/day. Although the short-term study is characterized by numerous limitations, in the absence of other existing data, such a study with direct measurements could significantly contribute to the development of an efficient solid waste management system in countries with economies in transition like Macedonia.

Cities↗
PubMed2002

Waste benefits of CO2 policies in Japan.

A linear programming model REAP (Regional Environmental strategy Analysis Program) has been developed for the analysis of the consequences of a CO2 tax for petrochemical products such as plastics (CO2, carbon dioxide, is the most important greenhouse gas). Special attention has been paid to the impacts on waste management. The results suggest that a 10,000 Y t(-1) CO2 tax would result in a significant reduction of CO2 emissions in the petrochemical life cycle, ranging from 40 Mt in 2015 to 70 Mt CO2 in later decades (more than 50% emission reduction). Waste quantities will be reduced simultaneously. The CO2 tax results in an 18% reduction of plastic waste weight in 2015 (3 Mt waste). Lower tax levels that may be politically more acceptable would result in proportionally lower environmental benefits. CO2 benefits and waste benefits of a CO2 tax are of equal importance in policy terms. Apart from changes in waste volume, CO2 taxes would affect the cost-effectiveness of waste handling technologies. Energy recovery in industrial kilns may replace conventional waste incineration. Recycling constitutes half of the total waste treatment. Given these results, current investments in new incineration capacity may suffer from insufficient waste availability during the next two decades in case CO2 taxes are introduced. A third effect of a CO2 tax is a significant increase of waste transportation. The results show that this increase is concentrated in the central part of Honshu (Kinki, Chubu & Kanto). Such transportation can result in new local environmental impacts that should be analysed in more detail. Given the strong impact of CO2 taxes on waste quantities and waste treatment it is recommended to co-ordinate CO2 policies and solid waste policies.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2000

Lessons from the flood: will Floyd change livestock farming?

When Hurricane Floyd struck eastern North Carolina in September 1999, as many as 50 waste lagoons, many of them several acres in size, were inundated by flood waters. Five lagoons breached, and waterborne animal waste produced nutrient pollution and raised the potential for exposure to pathogens and the risk of disease. As the state recovers, a common question being asked is whether state livestock regulations, particularly regarding facility siting and waste management methods, will be revised to accommodate future flood conditions.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health, safety, and environmental concerns of farm animal waste.

Modern animal husbandry has been concerned with increasing efficiency by increasing the number of animals raised per unit area; decreasing labor costs by automated animal feeding, watering, and housing; and using antibiotics to increase animal growth rates. These changes in animal production practices have resulted in reduced disease risks in some cases, but also have introduced new risks and challenges to the animal handler. Topics covered here include exposure pathways and health hazards associated with animal excreta, birthing wastes, and carcasses, with emphasis on infectious microbes (e.g., bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens) and airborne hazards (e.g., gases, dust particles, aerosols, and odors). Measures for reducing risks to animal handlers, including the use of waste management and treatment techniques, are reviewed.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

Contemporary anthropogenic silver cycle: a multilevel analysis.

Anthropogenic cycling of silver in 1997 is presented using three discrete governmental units: 64 countries encompassing what we believe to be over 90% of global silver flows, 9 world regions, and the entire planet. Using material flow analysis (MFA) techniques, the country level cycles are aggregated to produce the regional cycles, which are used to form a "best estimate" global cycle. Interesting findings include the following: (1) several silver-mining countries export ore and concentrate but also import silver-containing semiproducts and products; (2) the level of development for a country, as indicated by the gross domestic product, is a fair indicator of silver use, but several significant outliers exist; (3) the countries with the greatest mine production include Mexico, the United States, Peru, and China, whereas the United States, Japan, India, Germany, and Italy lead in the fabrication and manufacture of products; (4) North America and Europe's use of silver products exceed that of other regions on a per capita basis; (5) global silver discards, including tailings and separation waste, totaled approximately 57% of the silver mined; (6) approximately 57% of the silver entering waste management globally is recycled; and (7) the amount of silver entering landfills globally is comparable to the amount found in tailings. The results of this MFA lay the basis for further analysis, which in turn can offer insight into natural resource policy, the characterization of environmental impact, and better resource management.

Commerce↗
PubMed1998

Perspectives in agrobiotechnology.

This review surveys the most important and promising contributions of agricultural biotechnology to the development of sustainable, environment-friendly agriculture. It deals with the recent achievements of genetic technology for the development of new transgenic microbial, plant and animal products. It also deals with the newest developments and perspectives of microbial intervention in agricultural practices, such as biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, and various microbiological products used in modern agriculture. The review surveys the outlook for a waste-free, environment-friendly sustainable agricultural practice, including waste management, recycling and bioremediation technologies. The review lists the most important marketable agrobiotechnological products, and their present and projected sales volume.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

A survey on home generated medical waste in Mauritius.

This study was carried out to evaluate home-generated medical waste in Mauritius. A questionnaire survey was undertaken among a random sample population in 250 houses in the nine districts of the island. Results of this study showed an overwhelmingly large proportion of medical waste arising from the domestic environment joins the common municipal solid waste stream and ends in landfills. This improper disposal process poses a serious health hazard to the general public, waste haulers and landfill personnel. It is therefore recommended that a national policy on medical waste management be urgently implemented, proper training of waste haulers be offered and education campaign be carried out to sensitize the general public on safe disposal of medical waste.

Data Collection↗