,Medical Waste in Maryland: Alternatives to Incineration

Medical Waste in Maryland: Alternatives to Incineration


 

Publication Date: December 2004

Publisher: MaryPIRG

Author(s): Elizabeth Ridlington; Brad Heavner

Research Area: Environment

Keywords: public health; mercury; air pollution

Type: Report

Coverage: Maryland

Abstract:

Maryland's hospitals and health care facilities annually classify more than 35,000 tons of waste as regulated medical waste that must be sterilized before disposal. Incineration of this waste releases pollution such as mercury and dioxin that imperils public health. Medical Waste in Maryland: Alternatives to Incineration explores opportunities for hospitals to reduce the amount of medical waste they generation and alternatives to burning waste, such as autoclaves and specialized microwaves.