OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL WASTE COMBUSTION SYSTEMS

Abstract: With the rapid population growth, industrial activities, an increase in welfare level, and developing technology, the consumption diversity of mankind has increased. One of the biggest problems caused by diversified and increased consumption is waste. Due to the increasing population density in large cities, cities are expanding and the formation of large waste storage areas has started to be a big problem in city administrations. In this respect, waste disposal is a very important and critical issue all over the world and has become a topic that is constantly studied with new methods and technologies. In addition to domestic wastes, which are the easiest and relatively low cost of the disposal: disposal of hazardous wastes such as medical wastes and chemical wastes remains an issue that makes them think both environmentally and economically. Medical wastes are wastes released during healthcare. The institutions with the highest medical waste generation are hospitals. However, medical wastes are generated at many points, such as health cabins, pharmacies and infirmary facilities that employ more than 50 workers. Although 75-90% of these wastes fall under the general waste category, the rest fall into the hazardous waste section. Medical wastes are beginning to form in large volumes today due to the developing technology, increasing welfare level and widespread health services. The importance of medical sciences has been better understood over the past year due to the COVID-19 virus, which has shaken the world. The one-time equipment (mask, gloves, device, etc.) used in these days, which focused on how sensitive the epidemic diseases are in the recent period, has increased its waste. In addition to being infected, medical wastes contain hazardous chemicals, drugs, toxins, radioactive substances, etc. Medical wastes are in the hazardous/risky waste group that threatens human and environmental health. The separation, temporary storage, transportation, and disposal of medical wastes in hospitals is critical for the environment and human health. In this study, investigation of waste incineration processes, one of the methods of disposal of medical wastes threatening the environment and human health, and examination of emissions released after incineration will be carried out.