Abstract:
The international Convention on the Elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs) lists medical waste incinerators among the main dioxin and furans sources
in the environment. However, medical waste incinerators emit a wide range of
pollutants besides dioxins and furans. These include heavy metals (lead, mercury
and cadmium), fine dust particles, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants such as Products of Incomplete
Combustion (PICs) into the atmosphere. The composition of health care waste
generated can guide decisions on what disposal method is required for a particular
health care facility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health care waste
management practices and compliance to the burn technology among the selected
hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya. Questionnaires were used for collecting
information from respondents; analysis of heavy metal contaminants was done to
ascertain the composition of the health care wastes. On the location of the
incinerator, the study found that most of the burners were located close to areas
inhabited by people, 62.5% of all being located near agricultural areas. 50% of all
the burners were built near valleys and ridges which increased the dispersion area
and health risk and few were built near wooded places (37.5%). Regarding the
construction of the burner, the study found that 62.5% of the health centers
studied had overhead shelter and protective enclosure for them. The study also
found that only 50% of the health centers had constructed pits. The study further
found that most common potential harmful chemicals that can be found around
the health centre burners were emitted during combustion and the residual ash
had a heavy component of metallic pollutants. A total of 10 (ten) health care
facilities were selected. Bottom/fly ash samples were also collected from the
burners/incinerators in the health care facilities visited.
