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An important aspect of medical waste management in Miami Beach includes selecting the correct method for bio-medical waste removal. Three methods are widely used:
1. Steam sterilization
2. Incineration
3. Chemical decontamination
However, before we can proceed with explaining these three, it is vital to understand the potential dangers of improper and irresponsible bio-medical waste removal.
One particular danger lies in exposing the environment to the untreated bio medical waste material. This, of course, is a strongly prohibited practice according to state and federal regulations and laws throughout the United States. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in particular, devotes a lot of time and effort to regulating bio-medical waste disposal.
Bio-medical wastes are defined as materials that may include different human pathogens in concentrations that are, or may be hazardous. This includes, among other thing: items used in surgical procedures (such as sponges, surgical gloves and masks), needles, syringes, lancets, dialysis unit waste, capillary tubes and more.
Now, with a better understating of the nature of bio-medical waste, we can turn our attention to bio-medical waste removal methods.
Steam Sterilization
Steam sterilization involves a process of subjecting bio-medical waste to high-pressurized steam. The steam in this case is of at least 250 Fahrenheit degrees and any waste treated in this way needs to be submitted to the steam pressure for a period of at least 20 minutes, before it can be disposed of.
Steam sterilization uses a special machine called an autoclave, into which the waste material is put. This method can destroy most pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria.
Incineration
Until very recently incineration was the only method used in disposing of medical waste. This particular method is used to destroy potentially harmful microorganisms and toxins that may be contained in bio-medical waste. Additionally, incineration is also used to destroy recognizable anatomical remains.
Incineration is also a useful medical waste management method for the fact it greatly reduces the volume of waste. Since it turns medical waste into ash, by incinerating waste we can reduce its volume by a large percentage, up to 80%.
The problem with incineration, however, lies in the fact that it often releases pollutants into the air.
Chemical Decontamination
The third Miami Beach bio-medical waste removal method is chemical decontamination. According to EPA guidelines, phenolic compounds, chlorine and Quaternary ammonia (quart) can be used to treat liquid and semi-liquid bio-medical waste. This method of medical waste management should, however, be used with caution and sparingly due to the fact that it has certain disadvantages when utilized in excess. Quarts, in particular, can be hazardous to wildlife, and fish.
