The figure was revealed in the Alice Springs regional waste management facility report for October.

The dead pet you asked the vet to dispose of will end up buried in landfill, in most places across the country, and Alice Springs is no different.

“It’s a combination of horses, dogs, cats, pigs, any animal that dies,” said Alice Springs council technical services director Greg Buxton. “Road kill, kangaroos and that, the rangers pick them up, and you’ve got to dispose of them somewhere hygienic. So we put them at the back of landfill.”

The facility is on track to exceed last year’s total, with 3.7 tonnes deposited in the first quarter of this financial year.

Mr Buxton said most regional councils across the country dispose of dead animals in landfill.

“In the bigger cities they have an incinerator type setting where they cremate them, whereas we don’t have an incinerator here,” he said.

by: http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/central-australias-animal-graveyard/story-fnn3gfdo-1227123002725

THE UNITED Nations have called on a Southport firm to help them tackle the growing Ebola crisis.

The deadly virus, for which there is no known cure, has killed over 4,500 people since an outbreak began in Guinea in 2013, spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone before the virus made its way into America and Spain.

To combat the spread of the virus thousands of aid workers and doctors from around the world have traveled to West Africa to treat those who have fallen ill and as a result, use tonnes of materials which become hazardous and need to be disposed of via incinerators.

As such, the world’s largest incinerator manufacturer, based on Southport’s Canning Road Industrial estate, has been drafted in by the United Nations to provide a plethora of incinerators for disposing hazardous material.

Bosses at Inciner8 say they are delighted to be working closely with the United Nations for Incinerators to the areas of West Africa currently hit by the deadly Ebola virus.

The range of incinerators available from Inciner8 are ready made for the burning of hazardous waste ranging from the smallest and most mobile medical waste Incinerator to the largest Incinerator capable of burning up to 1000kg per hour.

Paul Niklas, Sales and Marketing director for Inciner8, told The Champion: “We appreciate fully and understand the terrible issues faced by the people of West Africa and the support agencies in place to combat the daily problems that exist.

”We will be endeavouring fully to ensure that we send our products in the quickest possible time with our engineers to support both installation and training as part of our committed service in reducing and eliminating the spread of this disease by transporting contaminated materials to other locations.

“Inciner8 continue to take the lead on many fronts and are currently working with other government agencies and Aid organisations as the innovation leader in the global Incineration market.

”The Ebola incinerators are being made and shipped out as we speak.

“It’s a natural procedure for us; we’ve done this for other disasters such as the war in Iraq.

”During our time in Iraq we had to deal with all sorts of residue, waste and contamination mainly for military purposes. “We’ve also supplied incinerators to the police in South America.

”However the Ebola virus is definitely up there as one of the worst cases we have faced – there is major risk in contaminated medical waste.

“What we do is provide a safe environment for people to burn waste, which is obviously far better than burning it in uncontrolled environments.

”You can take the incinerators to the problem. It’s impossible to guess what will happen next as things are changing on a day-to-day basis.

“We were first contacted about two and a half months ago. Normally we send our own people out, however it’s not something that we’ve been able to do this time as a result of the risk.”

In August 2014, the World Health Organisation declared the West Africa Ebola epidemic to be an international public health emergency.

Urging the world to offer aid to the affected regions, the Director-General said: “Countries affected to date simply do not have the capacity to manage an outbreak of this size and complexity on their own.

”I urge the international community to provide this support on the most urgent basis possible.“

By mid-August 2014, Doctors Without Borders reported the situation in Liberia’s capital Monrovia as ”catastrophic“ and ”deteriorating daily“.

As of October 15, 2014, there have been 17 cases of Ebola treated outside of Africa, four of whom have died.

In early October, Teresa Romero, a 44-year-old Spanish nurse, contracted Ebola after caring for a priest who had been repatriated from west Africa.

This was the first transmission of the virus to occur outside of Africa.

On September 19, Eric Duncan flew from his native Liberia to Texas; five days later he began showing symptoms and visited a hospital, but was sent home.

His condition worsened and he returned to the hospital on September 28, where he eventually passed away.

Health officials confirmed a diagnosis of Ebola on September 30 – the first case in the United States.

On October 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a nurse in Texas who had treated Duncan was found to be positive for the Ebola virus, the first known case of the disease to be contracted in the United States.

On October 15 a second Texas healthcare worker was confirmed to have the virus.

British Nurse Will Pooley, who survived Ebola, has already returned to Sierra Leone where he caught the deadly virus.

by: http://www.champnews.com/newsstory.aspx?story=3058174

The stench coming from the room is nauseating. Its not the typical smell of rotting cabbage leaves or chicken intestines.

It’s human waste and decaying body parts.

Tonota clinic is facing a serious health hazard. For seven months the incinerator has not been working and piles of red waste disposal bags are bursting from the room housing the defunct engine.“Do you know what’s in these bags?” asked a clinic employee who is so fearful for his health that he has risked being identified and sacked in order to expose the appalling conditions at the clinic.

“It’s human placentas and dirty pampers from patients suffering from chronic diseases. It’s disgusting,” he says, furrowing his eyebrows to emphasis the point.

“There are worms as big as my index finger and the stench is unbearable, but no action is being taken,” he adds.

The employee (name withheld) confirms the incinerator has not been operational for the past seven months.

He maintains that authorities both at District Health Management Team (DHMT) and Ministry level were informed, but no action has yet been taken.

According to the concerned employee, the trouble started when responsibility for the clinic was transferred from the Ministry of Local Government and placed under the Ministry of Health.
The malfunctioning incinerator has also affected clinics in villages surrounding Tonota who use the facility. “I was in Mmandunyane recently. The situation is also bad there since they have nowhere to dispose their clinical waste,” said the source.

Clinics in Mandunyane, Semotswane and Shashe rely on Tonota for disposal of their waste.

Adding to the woes of employees it is said that they last received uniform and protective clothing in 2011.

“There is also acute shortage of accommodation. Staff flats that were gutted by fire in 2011 are yet to be fixed,” the worker revealed.

He claimed that there are nurses who were transferred to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital, who were paid their transfer and hotel allowances but are still occupying staff houses in Tonota.

“All this is happening because there is lack of leadership. I believe only the President can help employees, but when he was in the area last weekend for a rally he neglected to come here.”

The source took The Voice on a tour of the clinic and showed us the dilapidated staff flats, damaged emergency fire pumps and tattered sheets in the maternity ward.

“What kind of a health facility, home to bed ridden patients, operates without an emergency fire pump?”
Efforts to get a comment from the clinic Matron Thatayaone Moitebatsi did not bear fruit as she referred all questions to a certain Dr Ayele at DHMT.

When contacted for comment Dr Ayele asked for a face-to-face interview but later called to cancel the appointment.

“We are aware off the situation in Tonota, but you know I don’t have the authority to talk to the media.

Please send a questionnaire and I will forward it to the relevant people,” was all Dr Ayele was prepared to say.

Up to 100 people are expected to arrive at the Dáil this evening to express their anger at the building of the Poolbeg Incinerator.

Work on the €600m project in Dublin has started, seven years since planning permission was granted.

Frances Corr from Combined Residents Against Incineration says they are getting support from the whole city.

Ms Corr said: “We have huge support from the whole of Dublin city, but in particular from Clonfarf, Marino and the coastal areas, as they can actually see it as they look across the bay.

“They are just waking up to how large this is. Also, they’ve been looking at the whole issue of the traffic in and out and the hours that will be worked.”

In a bid to bring a partial relief from the mounting waste disposal issues, a new incinerator will begin functioning at the Kozhikode Medical College soon. Authorities say that the new incinerator will become operational by the first week of August.

The incinerator has been installed using the fund from the Hospital Development Society (HDS).

HDS member Saleem Madavoor told ‘City Express’ that the society has allotted `15 lakh towards the expenses that will be acquired for the installation works. Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation Limited(SIDCO), a state government undertaking has been entrusted with the works.

An official of the medical college said that an expert team, deputed by SIDCO, has visited the medical college to review the primary arrangements.

The work order has been given to SIDCO and an agreement was signed between the medical college authorities and SIDCO officials three months back.

The medical college official added that the works of the incinerator are completed and installation works will start within few days.  When the new incinerator begins operating, the waste disposal issues will be partially addressed. The incinerator which has a capacity of burning 150 kg of waste, will dispose of the residue generated from the medical college hospital.

Meanwhile, the medical college will continue to grapple with the waste being generated from the Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH) and Super Specialty block as the incinerator for these blocks, which have been proposed at a cost of `63.5 lakh by the state government still remains on papers. If the incinerator becomes a reality around 5,000 kg of waste can be disposed everyday.

info from: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Waste-Woes-Medical-College-Gets-Partial-Relief/2015/07/17/article2924500.ece

On October 13, 2014, Louisiana District Judge Bob Downing granted the Louisiana attorney general’s request for injunctive

relief against “potentially Ebola-contaminated material” collected from the Dallas, Texas, Ebola victim’s apartment.

The waste, contained within 142 55-gallon plastic drums, was first transported from the Dallas apartment to a Port Arthur

incinerator under a Department of Transportation (“DOT”) emergency special permit. From there, the ash residue was

scheduled to be transported to Calcasieu, Louisiana, for disposal. However, the landfill announced that it would not

accept the waste in a non-binding statement. The Louisiana attorney general followed up this announcement with a request

for a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) to stop that waste from crossing the border into Louisiana.

The CDC, through its August 2014 guidance “Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients

with Known or Suspected Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in U.S. Hospitals,” recommends that all Ebola-contaminated or potentially

contaminated materials be placed in leak- proof, rigid waste containment and sent for incineration or autoclaving in

accordance with DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations and DOT guidance. Of concern to the Louisiana attorney general, there

is no CDC post-incineration testing. In fact, the CDC in a letter to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

stated that “Ebola-associated waste that has been appropriately inactivated or incinerated is no longer infectious,”

without any references in support of the statement. EPA has also declined to regulate, indicating that medical waste

disposal is primarily regulated by the states. DOT indicated that the CDC and DOT plan to issue joint guidance regarding

disposal sometime next week. After reviewing these facts, the Louisiana District Judge granted the TRO, effectively

stopping the ash residue in its tracks in Texas.

The Texas hazardous waste incinerator and transporter are likely now actively seeking out alternative Type I or II

landfills to accept the waste. In the meantime, the CDC may also step up to verify and confirm the safety of the medical

waste post-incineration to ease the fears of other states, before they too shut their doors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME 4
2. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME 4
3. COLLABORATORS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME 4
4. STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME 4
5. LABORATORY TRIALS 5
6. FIELD TRIALS 13

 

 

 

1.     OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

 

The objective of the programme is to select technical criteria suitable for tender specification purposes that will enable the South African Department of Health to obtain the services and equipment necessary for the primary health care clinics to carry out small-scale incineration for the disposal of medical waste.

 

2.     STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME

 

The test programme is being carried out in phases, as follows:

Phase 1         A scoping study to decide the responsibility of the different parties and

consensus on the test criteria and boundaries of the laboratory tests. The criteria for accepting an incinerator on trial was approved by all parties involved.

Phase 2         Laboratory tests with a ranking of each incinerator and the selection of the incinerators to be used in the field trials.

Phase 3         Completion of field trials, to assess the effectiveness of each incinerator under field conditions.

Phase 4         Preparation of a tender specification and recommendations to the DoH for the implementation of an ongoing incineration programme.

 

This document provides feedback on phases 2 and 3 of the work.

 

 

 

3.     COLLABORATORS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME

 

SA Collaborative Centre for Cold Chain Management SA National Department of Health

CSIR

Pharmaceutical Society of SA World Health Organisation UNICEF

 

 

 

4.     STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME

 

The following stakeholders participated in the steering committee:

 

• Dept of Health (National & provincial levels) (DoH)
• Dept of Occupational Health & Safety (National & provincial levels)
• Dept of Environmental Affairs & Tourism (National & provincial levels) (DEAT)
• Dept of Water Affairs & Forestry (National & provincial levels) (DWAF)
• Dept of Labour (National & provincial levels) (DoL)
• National Waste Management Strategy Group
• SA Local Government Association (SALGA)
• SA National Civics Organisation (SANCO)
• National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU)

 

 

• Democratic Nurses Organisation of SA (DENOSA)
• Medecins Sans Frontieres
• SA Association of Community Pharmacists
• Mamelodi Community Health Committee
• Pharmaceutical Society of SA
• CSIR
• UNICEF
• WHO
• SA Federation of Hospital Engineers

 

 

International visitors:

• Dr Luiz Diaz – WHO Geneva and International Waste Management , USA
• Mr Joost van den Noortgate – Medecins Sans Frontieres, Belgium

 

 

 

 

5.     LABORATORY TRIALS

 

5.1.   Objective of the laboratory trials

 

• Rank the performance of submitted units to the following criteria:

y Occupational safety

y Impact on public health from emissions

y The destruction efficiency

y The usability for the available staff

 

• The panel of experts for the ranking consisted of a:

y Professional nurse; Mrs Dorette Kotze from the SA National Department of Health

y Emission specialist; Dr Dave Rogers from the CSIR

y Combustion Engineer; Mr Brian North from the CSIR

 

5.2.   Incinerators received for evaluation

 

Name used in report	Model no.	Description	Manufacturer
C&S Marketing incinerator	SafeWaste Model Turbo 2000Vi	Electrically operated fan supplies combustion air – no auxiliary fuel	C&S Marketing cc.
Molope Gas incinerator	Medcin 400 Medical Waste Incinerator	Gas-fired incinerator	Molope Integrated Waste Management
Molope Auto incinerator	Molope Auto Medical Waste Incinerator	Auto-combust incinerator – uses wood or coal as additional fuel to facilitate incineration	Molope Integrated Waste Management

 

Name used in report	Model no.	Description	Manufacturer
PaHuOy incinerator	Turbo Stove	Auto-combust unit, using no additional fuel or forced air supply	Pa-Hu Oy

 

 

5.3.   Emission testing: laboratory method

 

Sampling of emissions followed the US-EPA Method 5G dilution tunnel method for stove emissions. Adjustments to the design were made to account for flames extending up to 0.5 m above the tip of the incinerator and the drop out of large pieces of ash. Emissions were extracted into a duct for isokinetic sampling of particulate emissions. The sampling arrangement is shown by a schematic in Figure 1. A photograph of the operation over the Molope gas fired incinerator unit is shown in Figure 2.

 

All tests were performed according to specified operating procedures. The instructions provided by the supplier of the equipment were followed in the case of the C&S Marketing Unit. No operating procedures were supplied with the Molope Gas, Molope auto-combustion and PaHuOy units. These procedures were established by the CSIR personnel using their previous experience together with information provided by the supplier.

 

Test facilities were set up at the CSIR and measurements were carried out under an ISO9001 system using standard EPA test procedures or modifications made at the CSIR.

 

 

 

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the laboratory set-up

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2:Photograph of air intake sampling hood over Molope gas incinerator

 

 

 

5.4.   RANKING RESULTS OF THE LABORATORY TRIALS

 

Using the criteria listed under section 4.1 above, the incinerators were ranked as followed:

 

	Molope gas-fired unit	Molope wood-fired unit	C&S electric unit	PaHuOy wood-fired unit
Safety	6.8	4.8	5.5	3.3
Health	5.5	3.5	4.3	2.3
Destruction	9	2	6	1
Usability	2	3	3	5
Average	5.8	3.3	4.7	2.9

 

 

5.5.   EMISSION RESULTS OF THE LABORATORY TRIALS

 

Quantitative measurements were used to rank the units in terms of destruction efficiency and the potential to produce hazardous emissions.

 

Conformance to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s (DEAT) recommended guidelines on emissions from Large Scale Medical Waste Incinerators is summarized in Table 1. The measurements are listed1 in Table 2.

 

 

 

Table 1: Summary qualitative results

 

Parameter Measured	Units	Molope   Gas-fired	Molope   Wood-fired	C&S   Electric	PaHuOy   Wood-fired	SA DEAT Guidelines
Stack height	m	×	×	×	×	3 m above nearest building
Gas velocity	m/s	×	×	×	×	10
Residence time	s	×	×	×	×	2
Minimum combustion temperature	ºC	4	×	×	×	> 850
Gas combustion efficiency	%	×	×	×	×	99.99
Particulate emissions	mg/Nm3	4	×	4	×	180
Cl as HCl	mg/Nm3	×	4	4	×	< 30
F as HF	mg/Nm3	4	4	4	4	< 30
Metals	mg/Nm3	4	×	×	4	< 0.5 and < 0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Emission concentrations are reported in accordance with the South African reporting requirements, ie, normalized to Normal Temperature (0

oC) and Pressure (101.3 kPa) and corrected to a nominal concentration of

8 % of CO2 on a dry gas basis. If a measurement fell below the detection limit for the method is it either reported as the detection limit or as N.D., ie, not detectable.

 

 

Table 2: Detailed quantitative results

 

Parameter Measured *	Units	Molope gas	Molope auto	C&S	PaHuOy	SA Process Guide1	Comments
Stack height	m	1.8	1.8	1.9	0.3	3 m above nearest building	None of these unite has a stack. The height of the exhaust vent is taken as the stack height. If it is above the respiration zone of the operator it provides some protection from exposure to smoke.
Gas velocity	m/s	0.8	0.5	1.1	0.5	10	Gas velocities vary across the stack for the Molope gas, Molope auto-combustion, and the PaHuOy units.
Residence time	s	0.4	0.7	0.6	0.4	2	Residence time is taken to be the total combustion time, and the maximum achievable
Minimum combustion zone temperature	oC	800 -900	400 – 650	600 – 800	500 – 700	> 850	Molope auto-combustion temperatures are expected to be higher as the centre of the combustion zone is not expected to be at the measurement location.
CO2 at the stack tip	% vol	2.64	3.75	4.9	3.25	8.0	Actual emission concentrations are less than the values reported here, which are normalized to 8 % CO2 and Normal temperature and pressure for reporting purposes. They are lower between 4 to 8 times.
Gas	%	99.91-	98.8 -98.4	99.69-	98.9	99.99	Most accurate measurement in
Combustion		99.70		99.03			the duct where mixing of exhaust
efficiency							gases is complete. Results of two trials.
Particulate emissions entrained in exhaust gas	mg/Nm3	102	197	130	338	180	The total emissions are the sum of the both entrained and un- entrained particulates. Emissions are lower than expected for such units and this is attributed to the absence of raking which is the major source of particulate emissions from incinerators without an emission control system.
Particulate fall- out	mg/Nm3	42	105	n.d.	n.d.	–	Large pieces of paper and cardboard ash rained out of the emissions. Totalling 0.8 to 2 g over a +/- 2 minute period.
Soot in particulates	%	42.2	58.1	48.7	84.8	–	Correlates directly with gas combustion efficiency

 

1 Emission concentrations are reported in accordance with the South African reporting requirements, ie, Normalized to Normal Temperature (0

oC) and Pressure (101.3 kPa) and corrected to a nominal concentration of

8 % of CO2 on a dry gas basis. If a measurement fell below the detection limit for the method is it either reported as the detection limit or as N.D., ie, not detectable.

 

Parameter Measured *	Units	Molope gas	Molope auto	C&S	PaHuOy	SA Process Guide1	Comments
% ash residual from medical waste	%	14.8	12.9	15.6	21.7	–	Measurement of destruction efficiency of the incinerator. Typical commercial units operate at 85-90 % mass reduction. PaHuOy is lower due to the melting and unburnt plastic.
Cl as HCl	mg/Nm3	46	13	25	35 & 542	< 30	PaHuOy chloride concentrations varied considerably. This is expected due to the variability of the feed composition.
F as HF	mg/Nm3	< 6	< 1	<2	< 1	< 30	Fluoride not found in this waste.
Arsenic (As)	mg/Nm3	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	0.5	Arsenic is not expected as a solid.
Lead (Pb)	mg/Nm3	< 0.4	< 0.4	< 0.4	< 0.4	0.5	Lead not expected in waste
Cadmium (Cd)	mg/Nm3	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	0.05	Sensitivity of the x-ray method is adequate for ranking. Higher sensitivity not sought for this trial.
Chromium (Cr)	mg/Nm3	< 0.1	0.7	0.7	< 0.1.	0.5	Chromium relative to iron ranges between 12 and 25% which is consistent with stainless steel needles
Manganese (Mn)	mg/Nm3	< 0.1	0.3	0.3	< 0.1	0.5	Manganese may be a component in the stainless steel needle.
Nickel (Ni)	mg/Nm3	< 0.1	0.3	< 0.1	< 0.1	0.5	Nickel may be a component in the needle.
Antimony (Sb)	mg/Nm3	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	0.5	Not expected in this waste.
Barium (Ba)	mg/Nm3	< 0.5	< 0.5	< 0.5	< 0.5	0.5	Lower sensitivity due to presence in the filter material
Silver (Ag)	mg/Nm3	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	0.5	Not expected in this waste.
Cobalt (Co)	mg/Nm3	< 0.1	< 0.1	< 0.1	< 0.1	0.5	Cobalt might be present in stainless steel.
Copper (Cu)	mg/Nm3	< 0.5	< 0.5	< 0.5	< 0.5	0.5	Lower sensitivity due to copper in the sample blanks. May be background in the analytical equipment.
Tin (Sn)	mg/Nm3	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	< 0.2	0.5	Tin not expected in this waste.
Vanadium (V)	mg/Nm3	< 0.1	< 0.1	0.4	< 0.1	0.5	Vanadium might be present in stainless steel.
Thallium (Tl)	mg/Nm3	< 0.4	< 0.4	< 0.4	< 0.4	0.05	Not expected in this waste. Sensitivity of the x-ray method is adequate for ranking. Higher sensitivity not sought for this trial.

 

 

 

5.6.   MAIN FINDINGS OF THE LABORATORY TRIALS

 

The main conclusions drawn from the trials are as follows:

 

:::          All four units can be used to render medical waste non-infectious, and to destroy syringes or render needles unsuitable for reuse.

:::                           The largest potential health hazard arises from the emissions of smoke and soot.              (the combustion efficiency of all units lies outside the

regulatory standards). The risk to health can be reduced by training operators to avoid the smoke or by installation of a chimney at the site.

:::          The emissions from small scale incinerators are expected to be lower than those from a wood fire, but higher than a conventional fire-brick-

lined multi-chambered incinerator.

:::          Incomplete combustion, and the substantial formation of smoke at low height rendered the PaHuOy unit unacceptable for field trials. Figure 3

below shows this unit during a trial burn. Molten plastic flowed out of

the incinerator, blocked the primary combustion air feed vents, and burnt outside of the unit.

 

 

 

Figure 3: Photo of PaHuOy incinerator during trial burn

 

 

5.7.   COMPARISON OF THE FIELDS TRIALS WITH THE LABORATORY TRIALS

 

The CSIR performed a quantitative trial in the field for gas combustion efficiency, temperature profiles and mass destruction rate on the Molope Auto wood-fired unit at the Mogale Clinic.

 

The results of this trial are compared to the laboratory trial results below:

 

• Waste loading: Disposable rubber gloves were observed in addition to needles syringes, glass vials, bandages, dressings, and paper w
• Temperatures and combustion efficiency: The same performance in gas combustion        efficiency   was    obtained    for    wood    .

Temperatures were higher but for a shorter time and this was

correlated with the type of wood available to the clinic. The fuel was burnt out before the medical waste was destroyed completely and this resulted in lower temperatures, lower combustion efficiency and higher emissions while burning the waste.

• Emissions: Large amounts of black smoke were observed and this was correlated directly to cooling of the unit as the wood fuel was exhausted

prior to full ignition of the waste.

• Destruction efficiency: The destruction efficiency was similar to that in the laboratory measurem
• Usability: The unit is difficult to control as the result of the variability of the quality of wood
• Acceptability: the smoke was not acceptable to the clinic, the community, or the local

 

It was concluded that:

• The performance with fuel alone indicates that laboratory trial data can be used to predict emissions in the
• The Molope Auto unit is too difficult to control for the available staff and fuel at the

 

 

 

5.8.   RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE LABORATORY TRIALS

 

The following recommendations are made as the result of the laboratory trials:

:::     A comprehensive operating manual must be supplied with each unit.

Adequate training in the operation of the units must be provided, especially focussed on safety issues.

:::     It is recommended that the height of the exhaust vent on all units be

addressed.     In order to facilitate the dispersion of emissions and reduce the exposure risk of the operators.

:::     The suppliers of the incinerators must provide instructions for the safe handling and disposal of ash.

 

 

 

5.9.   RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE

 

 

 

After completion of the laboratory trials, the project steering committee recommended that the Molope Gas and C&S Marketing units be submitted for field testing. The Molope Auto was recommended for field testing on the condition that the manufacturer modified the ash grate so as to prevent the spillage of partially burnt needles and syringes.

 

 

 

6.     FIELD TRIALS

 

6.1.   OBJECTIVE OF THE FIELD TRIALS

 

The objective of the field trials was to obtain information in the field and assess the strengths and weaknesses of each of the incinerators during use at primary health care clinics.

 

A participative decision making process was used for the trials. It was based on expert technical evaluation by the CSIR and the National Department of Health as well as participation in the trials by experienced end users and participating advisors. All decisions were made by the Steering Committee, which consisted of representatives of stakeholders in the clinical and medical waste disposal process. These included representatives from the National, Provincial, and Local Government departments of Health, Safety and the Environment, as well as Professional Associations, Unions, NGOs, UNICEF, the WHO and local community representatives.

 

6.2.   CLINIC SELECTION

 

The Provinces in which the trials were done selected clinics for the field trials. The criteria set by the Steering Committee for the selection of the clinics were the following:

 

• Location must be rural or under-serviced with

y No medical waste removal

y No existing incineration

y No transport

• It must be in a high-density population area
• Acceptable environmental conditions must prevail
• Community acceptance must be obtained
• Operator skill level to be used must be at a level of illiteracy

 

The clinics that were selected were as follows:

 

• Steinkopf Clinic – Northern Cape Province – Gas incinerator

 

 

• Marydale Clinic – Northern Cape Province – Gas incinerator
• Mogale Clinic – Gauteng Province             – Auto combustion

incinerator, wood-fired.

• Chwezi Clinic – KwaZulu-Natal Province – Gas incinerator
• Ethembeni Clinic- KwaZulu-Natal Province – Auto-combustion electrical

incinerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA INDICATING WHERE THE CLINICS ARE SITUATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN PROVINCE

 

GAUTENG PROVINCE

 

 

 

 

 

NORTH WEST PROVINCE

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE STATE PROVINCE

 

 

NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

 

 

KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE

 

I:\UnitPublic\Valerie\Technet 99\Working papers\Session 3\rogers.doc

 

 

 

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

 

 

WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

 

 

6.3.   COORDINATION OF THE TRIALS

 

The criteria for the ranking of the incinerators in accordance with performance in the field were:

 

• Safety (occupational and public health)
• Destruction capability
• Usability
• Community acceptability

 

The South African National Department of Health coordinated the field trials.

 

Information regarding the field trials as well as questionnaires were supplied to the coordinators in the participating provinces.

 

The team in the field consisted of the operator, supervisor and inspector (coordinator). The manufacturer of the incinerators did the training of the operators.

 

The questionnaires used during the trials were set so as to obtain information with regard to the criteria set for the ranking of the incinerators in accordance with performance in the field. The questionnaires were received from the clinics at two-weekly intervals.

 

Questions with regard to the criteria were the following:

 

A.  SAFETY (occupational and public health)

 

• Smoke Emission

y Volume and thickness

y Colour

y Odour

• Ash Content
• Are the filled sharps boxes and soiled dressings stored in a locked location while waiting to be incinerated?

 

 

 

B.  DESTRUCTION CAPABILITY

 

• Destruction Rate

y Complete

y Partial

y Minimal

y Residue content

 

C.  USABILITY (for the available staff)

• Can the incinerator be used easily?

 

 

• Is the process of incineration safe?
• Has training been successful?
• Is protective clothing such as gloves, goggles, dust masks and safety boots available?

 

D.  COMMUNITY ACCEPTABILITY

 

• What is the opinion of the following persons on the use of the incinerator?

y Operator

y Nurse

y Head of the clinic

y Local Authority representative

y Community leader

 

During the trials the clinics were visited and the incinerators evaluated by members of the Steering Committee and the CSIR as well as Dr L Diaz from WHO, Mr M Lainejoki from UNICEF and the coordinator from the National Department of Health.

 

6.4.   QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

 

6.4.1.      MOGALE CLINIC

 

Type of incinerator at the clinic: Molope Auto-Combustion (Fired with wood)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4 & 5: Molope Auto wood-fired incinerator during field trials at Mogale clinic

 

 

A.               SAFETY (occupational and public health)

 

1. The process of incineration with this unit was considered by the operator, supervisor and the inspector as unsafe because there is no protective cage around the During the process the incinerator becomes very hot and this could result in injury to the operator.

 

2. The smoke emission of this incinerator had a volume and thickness which was heavy and black, with a distinct unpleasant odour, and was considered This could cause a pollution problem.

 

 

 

B.               DESTRUCTION CAPABILITY

 

1. The needles and vials were not completely destroyed but were rendered unsuitable for re-use.

 

2. The soft medical waste was completely destroy

 

 

 

C.               USABILITY

 

Difficulty in controlling the operating temperature and avoiding smoke emissions made this incinerator user unfriendly.

 

D.               COMMUNITY ACCEPTABILITY

 

As a result of the heavy, black smoke emission the unit was not acceptable to the community.

 

 

6.4.2.      ETHEMBENI CLINIC:

 

 

Figure 6: C&S Marketing Auto Combust Electrical Incinerator At Ethembeni Clinic

 

 

 

Type Of Incinerator: C&S Auto-Combustion (Uses an electrically actuated fan)

 

 

 

A.               SAFETY (occupational and public health)

 

1. The operator, supervisor and inspector considered this incinerator easy to operate with no danger to the Removal of the ash from the drum for disposal in a pit is, however, considered difficult, as the drum is heavy. Removal of the incinerator lid before it has been allowed to cool has been identified as a potential danger to the operator.

 

2. Emission of smoke from this incinerator was not considered ex The volume and thickness was evaluated as moderate with no pollution experienced.

 

 

 

B.               DESTRUCTION CAPABILITY

 

1. The needles and vials were not completely destroyed but were rendered unsuitable for re-use.
2. The soft medical waste was completely destroy

 

 

 

C.               USABILITY

 

Considered user friendly by operator, supervisor and inspector.

 

D.               COMMUNITY ACCEPTABILITY

 

The incinerator was accepted by the community and was not considered to be harmful.

 

 

 

6.4.3.      CHWEZI CLINIC, MARYDALE CLINIC AND STEINKOPF CLINIC:

 

Type of incinerator: Molope Gas incinerator

 

Figure 7:       Molope Gas incinerator during field trials at Marydale clinic

 

A.               SAFETY (occupational and public health)

 

1. The operator, supervisor and inspector considered this incinerator easy to operate with minimal danger to the
2. Smoke emissions were not excessive and were reported to be minim

 

B.               DESTRUCTION CAPABILITY

 

1. Sharps not completely destroyed but were rendered unsuitable for re-use.

 

 

2. Soft medical waste completely destroy

 

C.               USABILITY

 

This incinerator was considered user friendly.

 

 

 

D.               COMMUNITY ACCEPTABILITY

 

 

 

The incinerator was accepted by the community and was not considered to be harmful.

 

 

 

6.5.   RANKING

 

 

INCINERATOR	RANKING
Molope Gas	1
C&S Auto-Combustion (Uses electrical fan)	2
Molope Auto- Combustion (Fired with wood, coal also an option)	3

 

 

 

 

6.6.   OUTCOME OF THE FIELD TRIALS

 

Incinerator	Safety	Destruction Capability	Usability	Community Acceptability
Molope Gas	Good	Good	Good	Good
C&S Auto- Combustion (Uses Electricity)	Good	Good	Good	Good
Molope Auto- Combust Incinerator	Un-Acceptable	Good	Un-Acceptable	Un-Acceptable

 

People living and working in Nunavut often have limited options available for cost effective and environmentally sound

management of household and other solid waste. The widespread presence of permafrost, lack of adequate cover material and

remote locations make open burning and incineration a common and widespread practice to reduce the volume of solid waste and

make it less of an attractant to wildlife.  A wide variety of combustion methods are used ranging from open burning on the

ground to high temperature dual-chamber commercial incinerators.  Generally, high temperature incinerators are more expensive

to purchase and operate and cause less pollution than do the less expensive and lower temperature methods.  However, high

temperature incinerators can safely dispose of a wider variety of waste than can the lower temperature open burning methods.

The Guideline for the Burning and Incineration of Solid Waste (the Guideline) is not intended to promote or endorse the

burning and incineration of solid waste. It is intended to be a resource for traditional, field and commercial camp

operators, communities and others considering burning and incineration as an element of their solid waste management program.

It examines waste burning and incineration methods that are used in Nunavut, their hazards and risks and outlines best

management practices that can reduce impacts on the environment, reduce human-wildlife interactions and ensure worker and

public health and safety. This Guideline does not address incineration of biomedical waste, hazardous waste and sewage

sludge. The management of these wastes requires specific equipment, operational controls and training that are beyond the

scope of the current document.

The Environmental Protection Act enables the Government of Nunavut to implement measures to preserve, protect and enhance the

quality of the environment. Section 2.2 of the Act provides the Minister with authority to develop, coordinate, and

administer the Guideline.

The Guideline is not an official statement of the law. For further information and guidance, the owner or person in charge,

management or control of a solid waste is encouraged to review all applicable legislation and consult the Department of

Environment, other regulatory agencies or qualified persons with expertise in the management of solid waste.

Heathrow Airport has announced plans to move an incinerator away from Stanwell and create a 15 mile ‘green ring’ around the town.

The airport said it altered its plans after residents raised concerns over its plans to relocate its incinerator to the Bedfont Road area.

A Labour county councillor however has said it is like moving pieces around a chess board.

Stanwell and Stanwell Moor councillor Robert Evans said: “I welcome very much the changes and that is due to the pressure put on BAA by me and the Labour party.

“But local resident Andrew McLuskey has done all the hard work.

“But in saying that, we are still battling away to stop expansion happening at Heathrow at all.

“There are still serious reservations and I don’t believe an expansion of the airport is right for the area or the whole country.

“We are talking semantics here – it’s a big expansion in a very cramped area. It’s like moving pieces around a chess board – whatever we don’t like around Stanwell will be just as massive somewhere else.”

Changes to the plans include introducing a 15 mile ‘green corridor’ which will increase the amount of recreational space between the town and a new car park south to the airport – which has also been reduced in size.

A new park and an all-weather sports pitch is being mooted for the area, as well as the potential building of ‘balancing ponds’ to help control the release of floodwater.

Roberto Tambini, chief executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that Heathrow has listened to and acted upon our feedback in creating its updated expansion plans and that the residents of Spelthorne have been offered an improved deal as a result.

“I am sure that we can work together and that Heathrow will continue to listen to Spelthorne residents and demonstrate a flexible approach to future proposals.”

Some of the £16 billion of private money being invested will also be used to support the Environment Agency in developing flood prevention schemes to protect homes and property in the surrounding areas.

The airport has also announced plans to fund a new bypass to replace the existing A3044 at Colnbrook and Poyle to ease congestion issues.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow said: “The expansion of Heathrow can bring significant benefits for local people as well as the UK economy.

“As well as bringing 50,000 new jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships, we can also improve the environmental landscape around the airport and mitigate some of today’s problems including road congestion and flooding. We continue to improve our plans based on the feedback we receive.”

The Airports Commission is currently assessing the case for expansion of either Heathrow or Gatwick.