This paper examines the dependence of the healthcare waste (HCW) generation rate on several social-economic and environmental parameters. Correlations were calculated between the quantities of healthcare waste generated (expressed in kg/bed/day) versus economic indices (GDP, healthcare expenditure per capita), social indices (HDI, IHDI, MPI, life expectancy, mean years of schooling, HIV prevalence, deaths due to tuberculosis and malaria, and under five mortality rate), and an environmental sustainability index (total CO 2 emissions) from 42 countries worldwide. The statistical analysis included the examination of the normality of the data and the formation of linear multiple regression models to further investigate the correlation between those indices and HCW generation rates. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were also calculated for all pairwise comparisons. Results showed that the life expectancy, the HDI, the mean years of schooling and the CO 2 emissions positively affect the HCW generation rates and can be used as statistical predictors of those rates. The resulting best reduced regression model included the life expectancy and the CO 2 emissions and explained 85% of the variability of the response.

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Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is the most widespread thermal analytical technique applied to waste materials. By way of critical review, we establish a theoretical framework for the use of TGA under non-isothermal conditions for compositional analysis of waste-derived fuels from municipal solid waste (MSW) (solid recovered fuel (SRF), or refuse-derived fuel (RDF)). Thermal behaviour of SRF/RDF is described as a complex mixture of several components at multiple levels (including an assembly of prevalent waste items, materials, and chemical compounds); and, operating conditions applied to TGA experiments of SRF/RDF are summarised. SRF/RDF mainly contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Polyvinyl chloride is also used in simulated samples, for its high chlorine content. We discuss the main limitations for TGA-based compositional analysis of SRF/RDF, due to inherently heterogeneous composition of MSW at multiple levels, overlapping degradation areas, and potential interaction effects among waste components and cross-contamination. Optimal generic TGA settings are highlighted (inert atmosphere and low heating rate (⩽10°C), sufficient temperature range for material degradation (⩾750°C), and representative amount of test portion). There is high potential to develop TGA-based composition identification and wider quality assurance and control methods using advanced thermo-analytical techniques (e.g. TGA with evolved gas analysis), coupled with statistical data analytics.

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With over 95% of bisphenol-A (BPA) used in the production of polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins, termed here as BPAbased plastic materials, components, and products (MCPs), an investigation of human exposure to BPA over the whole lifecycle of BPA-based plastic MCPs is necessary. This mini-review unpacks the implications arising from the long-term human exposure to BPA and its potential accumulation across the lifecycle of BPA-based plastics (production, use, and management). This investigation is timely and necessary in promoting a sustainable circular economy model. Restrictions of BPA in the form of bans and safety standards are often specific to products, while safety limits rely on traditional toxicological and biomonitoring methods that may underestimate human health implications and therefore the "safety" of BPA exposure. Controversies in regards to the: (a) dose-response curves; (b) the complexity of sources, release mechanisms, and pathways of exposure; and/or (c) the quality and reliability of toxicological studies, appear to currently stifle progress toward the regulation of BPA-based plastic MCPs. Due to the abundance of BPA in our MCPs production, consumption, and management systems, there is partial and inadequate evidence on the contribution of BPA-based plastic MCPs to human exposure to BPA. Yet, the production, use, and end-of-life management of plastic MCPs constitute the most critical BPA source and potential exposure pathways that require further investigation. Active collaboration among risk assessors, government, policy-makers, and researchers is needed to explore the impacts of BPA in the long term and introduce restrictions to BPA-based MCPs.

This is a repository copy of Chlorine in waste-derived solid recovered fuel (SRF), cocombusted in cement kilns: A systematic review of sources, reactions, fate and implications.

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