Analysis of Heavy Metals in Blister Pack and Medical Gloves Samples

Abstract

<p>Incineration is a common method to treat medical wastes. Whereas pathogens and environmentally problematic organic compounds are destroyed, toxic heavy metals cannot be ruined. In this study heavy metal concentrations of two types of medical wastes were analyzed. Four different blister pack layers (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl chloride/polyvinylidiene chloride with pigment (PVC/PVdCp), polyvinyl chloride/polyvinylidiene chloride transparent (PVC/PVdCt) and polyethylene (PE)) and blister pack as a unit, and three types of medical gloves (latex powdered and powder-free medical gloves, nitrile powder-free medical gloves and vinyl powdered and powder-free medical gloves) were digested using high pressure digestion methods. Different acid mixtures were used to digest the samples. Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed by the inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). As, Fe, Na, P, Sn, Sr and Zn were detected in blister pack and different blister pack layers. Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Sr and Zn were detected in three different types of medical gloves. No environmentally relevant elemental concentrations were detected except for Sn and Zn.</p><p>DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.65.3.4157">http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.65.3.4157</a></p