Incinerator in medical waste

Introduction
Incineration is controlled burning at temperatures typically
over850oC in the presence of air to ensure the destruction of
pathogens (e.g. fungi, bacteria and viruses) and hazardous
pollutants (e.g. volatile organics).

Medical Waste Incinerators and Toxic Pollution:

Since much of the waste that hospitals produce, including hypodermic
needles, body parts and fluids, diapers, laboratory cultures, etc., is
infectious and potentially dangerous, many hospitals feel it is safer to
burn this waste, rendering it harmless, rather than to bury it in landfills.
When burned, hospital waste and medical/infectious waste emit various
air pollutants, including hydrochloric acid, dioxin/furan, and toxic metals
(lead, cadmium, and mercury).

It is an effective technology widely used in waste treatment which

can reduce the volume.

The Process of Incineration

In the process of incineration, incinerators reduce the waste by
burning it after the incinerator is initially fired up with gas or other
combustible material. The process is then sustained by the waste
itself. Complete waste combustion requires a temperature of 850º
C for at least two seconds but most plants raise it to higher
temperatures to reduce organic substances containing chlorine.
Flue gases are then sent to scrubbers which remove all dangerous
chemicals from them.

Advantages of Incinerator
Incineration is a practical method of disposal that saves a lot of
money on transport of waste to landfills and thus also the carbon
footprint that such transport leaves behind.

The sheer reduction in the space required to dispose of the 10

percent of waste that it does produce relieves pressure on land,
which in urban areas can constitute a big saving.
 Landfills have never been a pretty site and also give rise to a lot of
pests and insects but An incinerating plant will look like any other
industrial structure.

Incinerating plants have a huge advantage that they can produce

electricity which in the long run can help to reduce costs. A 250 ton
per day incinerator can produce 6.5 megawatts of electricity per
day.

Some cold countries also use the heat from incinerators for
heating of offices and houses in locations near the plant.

Disadvantages of Incinerator
The high cost of incineration plant has been a turnoff of for
municipal authorities and is only now being addressed with the
introduction of WTE plants. The need for huge waste to incinerate
has led to abandonment of other plans for recycling and reuse of
waste. Dioxins are produced in the treatment and is a cancer
forming chemical. These are produced in the smoke
stack. The plants require skilled personnel for operation and
continuous maintenance.
Stringent Emission Standard
The emission standards to be adopted for the Integrated Waste
Management Facilities (IWMF) will be one of the most stringent
standards among those technologically advanced countries.
Dioxins:
Dioxins are created by the burning of PVC plastics and other materials
that contain chlorine. Incineration is one of the 4 major sources of dioxin
in the environment.
Exposure to dioxin comes from eating meat, fish, and dairy products
because dioxin falls on the land and water. 

To reduce dioxin in the chimneys where they are normally formed,

cooling systems are introduced in the chimneys. Chimneys are
required to be at least 9 meters above existing structures.

Mercury:
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that damages the body’s central nervous system. It
can also damage the brain, kidneys and lungs. Young children and pregnant women
are especially at risk.
 Most people who are exposed to mercury are exposed to it by eating
contaminated food, especially contaminated fish.
 Thermometers, batteries, and many other common items used in hospitals
contain mercury. When these materials are burned in medical waste
incinerators, the mercury is released into the environment. However, non-
mercury alternatives to these items do exist.
 Medical waste incinerators are considered to be the second-largest source of
mercury in the environment.

 The advantages and disadvantages of incinerators need to

be weighed carefully by any civic authorities considering this
as an alternative. WTE plants are gaining more favor and the
designing of incinerators is being constantly evolved to
 Increase efficiencies and reduce production of dioxins.

BY :

EIMAN ABDA LLAH