Best Treatment Methods for Medical Waste

Irrespective of where biomedical waste is treated, it is processed by methods such as incineration, microwave, biological, autoclaving, or chemical treatments. Incineration, which was one of the most popular methods for treating medical waste for several decades in the past is no longer much in usage today. The new regulations have recommended more effective and safer methods. Here is a brief discussion about the common methods to treat medical waste.

• Incineration: more than 90% of infectious medical waste was treated by incineration prior to 1997. Later, changes in EPA regulations led providers to follow other disposal methods. However, even today, incineration is the only method used to treat pathological waste such as body parts and tissues.
• Chemical: Chemical waste can be neutralized by subjecting them to reactive chemicals, which can render them inert. This method is usually reserved for medical waste that is chemical in nature.
• Microwaving: Microwaving with high-powered equipment can help to treat hazardous medical waste. This method can open up the waste to disposal in normal landfills or by incineration.
• Autoclaving: Autoclaving methods such as steam sterilization can reduce the infective nature of biohazardous waste. After the waste has been sterilized, it can be disposed of in solid waste landfills or incinerated with less-stringent regulations.
• Biological: This method of treating medical waste involves the use of enzymes that can neutralize harmful infectious organisms. However, it is still under development and not used in practice widely.