Assessment and selection of the best treatment alternative for infectious waste by modified Sustainability Assessment of Technologies methodology

Abstract

BackgroundImproper treatment of infectious waste can cause numerous adverse environmental and health effects such as transmission of diseases through health personnel and other susceptible groups,who come in contact with such wastes. On the other hand, selection of appropriate treatment alternatives in infectious waste management has become a challenging task for public health authorities especially in developing countries. The objective of this paper is to select the best infectious waste treatment alternative by the modified Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) methodology, developed by the International Environmental Technology Center of the United Nations Environment Program (IETC-UNEP).MethodsSAT methodology consists of three main components, including screening, scoping and detailed assessment. In screening, different infectious waste treatment alternatives undergo screening using the finalized environmental and technical criteria. Short-listed treatment options from the previous step, then go through the comprehensive scoping and detailed assessment (2nd and 3rd components) which is more qualitative and quantitative in nature. An empirical case in Tehran, the largest city in Iran, is provided to illustrate the potential of the proposed methodology.ResultsAccording to the final score, “Hydroclave”, was the most suitable infectious treatment technology. The ranking order of the treatment alternatives were “Autoclave with a shredder”, “Autoclave”, “Central Incineration” and “chemical treatment” on the basis of technical, economical, social and environmental aspects and their related criteria.ConclusionsAccording to the results it could be concluded that the top ranking technologies basically have higher scores in all the aspects. Hence it is easier to arrive at a decision for the final technology selection based on the principles of sustainability.

Assessment of Healthcare Waste Management Paradigms and Its Suitable Treatment Alternative: A Case Study

“…SAT is an apposite approach for incorporating technical, environmental, economic, and social considerations with the primary emphasis on developmental aspects and environmental issues [ 12 ]. Examples of investigations carried out using SAT methodology includes those of Suthapanich [ 13 ] and Rafiee et al [ 14 ], where assessment and selection of best waste treatment technologies were explored. Furthermore, quantification and analysis of the physical composition of HCW were performed, since quantitative assessment of HCW generation is usually the main basis for any waste management plan [ 15 ].…”

Resíduo Hospitalar E Seu Impacto: Uma Revisão Da Literatura

“…Gestão de resíduos por: (AL-KHATIB; ELEYAN; GARFIELD, GIL MORALES et al, 2019;KWIKIRIZA et al, 2019;CHAUDHRY, 2016b;ALI et al, 2017;RAFIEE et al, 2016;SAJJADI et al, 2018;HASAN;RAHMAN, 2018;FITRIA; DAMANHURI; SALAMI, 2018; AWODELE; ADEWOYE; OPARAH, NAVAZESHKHAH et al, 2019;BHAGAWATI;NANDWANI;SINGHAL, 2015;DASH et al, 2018;TULI;GAUTAM, 2017;GUPTA, 2017;RAO et al, 2018;MICHAEL et al, 2015;PANDEY et al, 2016;CHAUDHRY, 2016a;GHAFURI;NABIZADEH, 2017;MACHADO et al, 2017;DOIPHODE, 2016;KIST et al, 2018;TRAN et al, 2019;PICCOLI et al, 2015;ALI, 2019;RAME et al, 2018; WAFULA; MUSIIME; OPORIA, 2019; IRIANTI, 2016; RODRÍGUEZ-MIRANDA;…”

The linear assignment method for multicriteria group decision making based on interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy Bonferroni mean

“…The production of HCW in developing countries has generated huge concern from policy makers due to the use of inappropriate methods of managing the wastes. The unseemly treatment of HCW and eventual disposal of wastes can affect public health, occupational health and safety and the environment . HCW management has become a challenging issue facing hospital authorities in developing countries like Ghana.…”

“…Based on Ref. , the evaluation criteria for selecting the best HCW treatment technology are given as follows: (1) technical suitability ( c 1 ), (2) economic/financial analysis ( c 2 ), and (3) environmental analysis ( c 3 ). We assume that the importance degrees of the criteria are expressed as .…”