Selection of an Appropriate Technology for Hospital Waste Management in Quetta City, Pakistan
Publication: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 28, Issue 4
Abstract
Hospital waste has the potential to affect human health, the environment, communities, animals, and even individuals at home in both infectious and noninfectious ways. That is why efficient and sustainable hospital waste management and disposal are the only keys to reducing waste-related risks. Financially and environmentally viable hospital waste management and disposal activities are the dire need of the present time. The present study aims to identify the factors that should be incorporated when designing any hospital waste management strategy and to find the appropriate technology for hospital waste disposal in Quetta City, Pakistan, by using social, health, technological, economic, financial, institutional, and environmental factors, known collectively as the SHTEFIE criteria. Findings reveal that environmental, technological, and financial factors are dominant over all other factors. Incineration is the best technique among all other waste disposal techniques, but environmental protections must be strictly followed. Landfill is a financially sound technique and suitable for noninfectious and general waste, whereas autoclaving and microwaving are best used as waste treatment methods.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Authors are grateful to Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, for financial support to complete this research.
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Published In
Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 28 • Issue 4 • October 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 27, 2023
Accepted: Jan 23, 2024
Published online: Jun 27, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 27, 2024
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