Aspects Regarding Sustainability among Private Dental Practitioners from Bucharest, Romania: A Pilot Study.

Oral health professionals' knowledge of sustainability is essential for promoting environmental protection in dental healthcare. This pilot study involved an online survey addressed to 70 dental private practitioners from Bucharest, Romania, to evaluate their awareness of the concept of sustainability in dentistry. The performed statistical analysis revealed that 41.4% of the participants were well aware of sustainability in dentistry, with older participants demonstrating significantly higher levels of such awareness (p = 0.001). Sustainability awareness among participants correlates positively with their knowledge of the negative environmental impacts of dental activity (p < 0.001) and with the concern for sustainable dentistry implementation in their workplace (p = 0.037). Improper biohazardous waste disposal was identified as the primary cause of negative environmental impact of dental practices by 87.1% of participants. Installing high energy-efficient dental equipment was selected as the most important action to implement sustainability in participants' dental practices (64.3%). Overall, 51.4% of the participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had a medium impact on their dental activity in terms of sustainability. Our study found that participants have a moderate level of awareness regarding sustainability in dentistry, highlighting the need for education on sustainability for oral health professionals.

Factors Affecting the Potential of Solid Waste Management of Network Partners in the Epidemic Control Area for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Mae Sot, Thailand

This investigation examines the potential, and the factors affecting the potential of network partners to manage solid waste in the epidemic control area for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study area was Mae Sot Municipality in Tak Province, Northern Thailand, which consists of twenty communities. This is an especially pressing study topic given the dearth of literature on solid waste management in Thailand during a pandemic. The sample group was purposively selected, and was composed of household representatives living within the coronavirus epidemic control area. Data was gathered using a quantitative research method. A questionnaire was presented to 400 household representatives. Data results led to the development of an equation to determine waste management potential: Logit(y) = 0.435 - 0.086(X1) - 0.203(X2) - 0.110(X3) + 0.086(X4) + 0.046(X5) - 0.056(X6) + 0.157(X7) + 0.132(X8) + 0.214(X9) - 0.212(X10) - 0.087(X11) + 0.022(X12). Factors affecting public participation in waste management of network partners in epidemic control areas can be written as a predictive equation: Logit(y) = -0.179 + 0.092(PAR1) + 0.177(PAR2) - 0.189(PAR3) + 0.008(PAR4). Potential factors affecting the waste management of network partners in epidemic control areas can be written as follows: Logit(y) = -0.724 + 0.220(POT1) + 0.045(POT2) - 0.234(POT3) + 0.185(POT4). Solid waste management models must be suitable for the context and current situation in the local community. This includes consideration of local participation and the impact on all stakeholders in the area. The key action is to minimize the amount of solid waste before it reaches the disposal stage by focusing on participation from all sectors. © 2022 Common Ground Research Networks. All rights reserved.

Biomedical Waste Management and Circular Economy Actions in the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation in Jaipur District, India

Circular economy is gaining popularity across the world, but its implementation in Jaipur District, as in other developing nations, is lacking. The Covid-19 epidemic has resulted in massive volumes of hazardous trash that require specific handling. The goal of this study was to evaluate CE and waste management efforts in Jaipur District, India during the Covid-19 epidemic. Two quarantine healthcare centers in Jaipur District were used as case studies, with data collected using quantitative and qualitative approaches and evaluated to establish the problems of hazardous waste management in Jaipur District. A total of 220 questionnaires were sent to the employees, with 216 (98.18%) of them being returned. There were 118 males (55%) and 98 women (45%) among the respondents, who worked in a variety of fields, including health workers (n = 108;50%), maintenance personnel (n = 62;28.7%), and cleaners/waste handlers (n = 46;21.29%). The majority of the participants (94.44%) said Covid-19 wastes should be separated, whereas 116 people (53.7%) thought managing personal protective equipment during a pandemic was reasonable. According to the findings, training and retraining of personnel on hazardous waste management at the examined healthcare institutions is critical to the implementation and enforcement of national policies for solid waste management. Rajasthan's government must dispose of biological waste in one step, straight out of town, rather than in two steps, first in Jhalana, Jaipur, and then in Jamdoli, Jaipur. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Quantitative analysis of healthcare waste generation and composition in Antalya, Turkey.

Health-care waste (HCW) may pose a risk to human health and the environment because of its infectious and/or toxic properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the quantity and composition of all the HCW generated by different producers in Antalya, Turkey, using data obtained from two online systems. Accordingly, this study explored the trends in healthcare waste generation (HCWG) between 2010 and 2020 and the impact of COVID-19 on HCWG by comparing the post- and pre-COVID-19 patterns based on the data obtained from 2,029 different producers. The collected data were based on the waste codes reported by the European Commission, were characterised based on the definition of the World Health Organization, and were further analysed according to the healthcare types defined by the Turkish Ministry of Health to characterize HCW. The findings indicate that the main HCW contributor was infectious waste (94.62 %), most of which was generated by hospitals (80 %). This is due to the inclusion of only HCW fractions in this study and to the definition of infectious waste considered. This study indicates that the categorisation into the type of HCSs may be a good option to assess the increase of HCW quantities, in accordance with the service type, size, and the effects of COVID-19. The correlation results for hospitals offering primary HCS revealed a strong relationship between the HCWG rate and the population per year. This approach may help estimate future trends to promote better HCW management practices for the specific cases considered, and it can even be applied to other cities.

Factors Affecting the Potential of Solid Waste Management

This investigation examines the potential, and the factors affecting the potential of network partners to manage solid waste in the epidemic control area for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study area was Mae Sot Municipality in Tak Province, Northern Thailand, which consists of twenty communities. This is an especially pressing study topic given the dearth of literature on solid waste management in Thailand during a pandemic. The sample group was purposively selected, and was composed of household representatives living within the coronavirus epidemic control area. Data was gathered using a quantitative research method. A questionnaire was presented to 400 household representatives. Data results led to the development of an equation to determine waste management potential: Logit(y) = 0.435 − 0.086(X1) − 0.203(X2) − 0.110(X3) + 0.086(X4) + 0.046(X5) − 0.056(X6) + 0.157(X7) + 0.132(X8) + 0.214(X9) − 0.212(X10) − 0.087(X11) + 0.022(X12). Factors affecting public participation in waste management of network partners in epidemic control areas can be written as a predictive equation: Logit(y) = −0.179 + 0.092(PAR1) + 0.177(PAR2) − 0.189(PAR3) + 0.008(PAR4). Potential factors affecting the waste management of network partners in epidemic control areas can be written as follows: Logit(y) = −0.724 + 0.220(POT1) + 0.045(POT2) − 0.234(POT3) + 0.185(POT4). Solid waste management models must be suitable for the context and current situation in the local community. This includes consideration of local participation and the impact on all stakeholders in the area. The key action is to minimize the amount of solid waste before it reaches the disposal stage by focusing on participation from all sectors.

A robust fuzzy multi-objective location-routing problem for hazardous waste under uncertain conditions.

Industrialization and population growth have been accompanied by many problems such as waste management worldwide. Waste management and reduction have a vital role in national management. The presents study represents a multi-objective location-routing problem for hazardous wastes. The model was solved using Non dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II, Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization, Multi-Objective Invasive Weed Optimization, Pareto Envelope-based Selection Algorithm, Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Decomposition and Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimizer algorithms. The findings revealed that the Multi-Objective Invasive Weed Optimization algorithm was the best and the most efficient among the algorithms used in this study. Obtaining income from the incineration of the wastes and reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection are the first innovation of the present study, which considered in the presented model. The second innovation is that uncertainty was considered for some of the crucial parameters of the model while the robust fuzzy optimization model was applied. Besides, the model was solved using several meta-heuristic algorithms such as Multi-Objective Invasive Weed Optimization, Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Decomposition and Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimizer, which were rarely used in literature. Eventually, the most efficient algorithm was identified by comparing the considered algorithms.

Effect of Hospitals Specialization and Severity of Disease on Bio-Medical Waste Generation? A COVID-19 Study of Hospitals

In this study using publicly available panel data on bio-medical waste from all the Apollo-Hospitals in Chennai we try to explore the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on four categories (clinical, infectious, sharp and bottle waste) waste generation. The entire sample study is categorized into pre-lockdown (no-suspension on activities) and lockdown period (all activities were suspended) as was declared in India by the government in 2020. Using a fixed effect model technique and COVID-19 active treatment cases in the district where the hospital is located, we find significant effect of severity of COVID19 on hospital's wastes generation. Severity of COVID-19 in the districts increases the proportion of infectious waste generation but reduces the proportion of sharp and bottle waste generation to the total waste. The results indicate the huge increase in the bio-medical waste generation during the post COVID-19 era which pauses a threat to both sanitation and sustainable development goals, is a result of infectious waste and is generated from some few hospitals with specialty treatment like childcare and cancer, ignoring these features can lead to upward bias in the estimation. © The Electrochemical Society

A COMPREHENSIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT SIMULATION MODEL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF WASTE SEGREGATION IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

It has been determined that a high percentage of medical waste could be classed as domestic waste due to the lack of segregation at hospitals. Better segregation could thus substantially decrease the amount of medical waste that is required to be treated as hazardous waste. This study aims to assess different segregation levels of domestic waste mixed with medical waste. To do so, the Stella and Vensim simulation packages were used to evaluate medical waste flows in the Thrace Region of Turkey. The most important advantage of the simulation modeling used in this study is the flexibility for adjusting parameters based on circumstances, e.g. in the case of an unforeseen event (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), the system parameters can be modified according to the situation. In this study, it is anticipated for the medical waste generation to increase from almost 2000 tons/year to 3000 tons/year in 2045 in the region, which is more than the capacity of current medical waste treatment plants. Projected waste generation flows show that it is possible to avoid 300 tons of medical waste annually by reducing the domestic content of medical waste to 50%. Precisely, for the current regional treatment capacity to be sufficient up to 2045, it will be crucial to reduce the domestic content in medical waste to 10% in the chronic care departments at regional hospitals. The importance of this further arises, as lack of meeting this need will result in an urgent requirement for installation of new units for the treatment of all the medical waste generated in the region. © 2021 Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Romania. All rights reserved.

Fly Ash as an Ingredient in the Contaminated Soil Stabilization Process

Fly ash is the main by-product of coal combustion characterized by a large specific surface area. In addition to oxides, it also contains unburned coal and trace elements. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using fly ash from pit-coal combustion (CFA) for the treatment of benzene-contaminated soil (S). The CFA was used as a mixture with Portland cement (PC) (70% PC + 30% CFA). The soil was treated with a PC-CFA mixture in amounts of 40, 60, and 80% of soil mass. During the process, the concentration of benzene was monitored with the flame-ionization detector. Produced monoliths (S+(PC-CFA)x) were tested for compressive strength and capillary water absorption. The experiment confirmed that the PC-CFA mixture limited benzene emission. The highest reduction in benzene concentration (34–39%) was observed for samples treated with the PC-CFA mixture in an amount of 80% (S+(PC-CFA)80). The average compressive strength of monoliths S+(PC-CFA)40, S+(PC-CFA)60, and S+(PC-CFA)80 was 0.57, 4.53, and 6.79 MPa, respectively. The water absorption values were in the range of 15–22% dm.

A review on emergency disposal and management of medical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

The surge of medical waste (MW) generated during the COVID-19 pandemic has exceeded the disposal capacity of existing facilities. The timely, safe, and efficient emergency disposal of MW is critical to prevent the epidemic spread. Therefore, this review presents the current status of MW generation and disposal in China and analyzes the characteristics and applicability of emergency disposal technologies. The results show that movable disposal facilities can dispose of infectious MW on site, even though most of their disposal capacity is at a low level (<5 t/day). Co-disposal facilities need to be reformed completely for emergency MW disposal, in which separate feeding systems should be taken seriously. Specifically, municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration facilities have great potential to improve emergency MW disposal capacities. For hazardous waste incineration facilities, compatibility of the wastes must be matched to the composition and calorific value of the waste. As for cement kiln, MW can only be used as an alternative fuel instead of a raw material for cement. Based on the environmental risk and technical adaptability, the six emergency MW disposal technologies are recommended to be prioritized as follows: movable microwave sterilization, movable steam sterilization, movable incineration, co-incineration with hazardous waste, co-incineration with MSW and co-disposal in cement kilns. Infectious MW, especially COVID-19 MW, should be prioritized for disposal by centralized and movable disposal facilities, while non-infectious MW can be disposed of using co-disposal facilities. All stakeholders should strengthen the delicacy management of the end-of-life stage of MW, including collection, classification, packaging identification, transportation, and disposal. Currently, it is necessary for centralized disposal enterprises to follow the emergency disposal operation flowchart. From a long-term strategic perspective, making full use of regional movable and co-disposal facilities in the megacities can effectively enhance the emergency MW disposal capacity.

Valorization of hazardous COVID-19 mask waste while minimizing hazardous byproducts using catalytic gasification.

This study proposes a method to valorize hazardous waste such as used COVID-19 face mask via catalytic gasification over Ni-loaded ZSM-5 type zeolites. The 25% Ni was found as an optimal loading on ZSM-5 in terms of H2 production. Among different zeolites (ZSM-5(30), ZSM-5(80), ZSM-5(280), mesoporous (m)-ZSM-5(30), and HY(30)), 25% Ni/m-ZSM-5(30) led to the highest H2 selectivity (45.04 vol%), most likely because of the highest Ni dispersion on the m-ZSM-5(30) surface, high porosity, and acid site density of the m-ZSM-5(30). The content of N-containing species (e.g., caprolactum and nitriles) in the gasification product was also reduced, when steam was used as gasifying agent, which is the source of potentially hazardous air pollutants (e.g., NOx). The increase in the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio resulted in lower tar conversion and lower H2 generation. At comparable conditions, steam gasification of the mask led to ~15 vol% higher H2 selectivity than air gasification. Overall, the Ni-loaded zeolite catalyst can not only suppress the formation of hazardous substances but also enhance the production of hydrogen from the hazardous waste material such as COVID-19 mask waste.

Mapping healthcare waste management research: Past evolution, current challenges, and future perspectives towards a circular economy transition.

Improper healthcare waste (HCW) management poses significant risks to the environment, human health, and socio-economic sustainability due to the infectious and hazardous nature of HCW. This research aims at rendering a comprehensive landscape of the body of research on HCW management by (i) mapping the scientific development of HCW research, (ii) identifying the prominent HCW research themes and trends, and (iii) providing a research agenda for HCW management towards a circular economy (CE) transition and sustainable environment. The analysis revealed four dominant HCW research themes: (1) HCW minimization, sustainable management, and policy-making; (2) HCW incineration and its associated environmental impacts; (3) hazardous HCW management practices; and (4) HCW handling and occupational safety and training. The results showed that the healthcare industry, despite its potential to contribute to the CE transition, has been overlooked in the CE discourse due to the single-use mindset of the healthcare industry in the wake of the infectious, toxic, and hazardous nature of HCW streams. The findings shed light on the HCW management domain by uncovering the current status of HCW research, highlighting the existing gaps and challenges, and providing potential avenues for further research towards a CE transition in the healthcare industry and HCW management.

COVID-19 prevalence and fatality rates in association with air pollution emission concentrations and emission sources.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is primarily respiratory in nature, and as such, there is interest in examining whether air pollution might contribute to disease susceptibility or outcome. We merged data on COVID-19 cumulative prevalence and fatality rates as of May 31, 2020 with 2014-2019 pollution data from the US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Screen (EJSCREEN), with control for state testing rates, population density, and population covariate data from the County Health Rankings. Pollution data included three types of air emission concentrations (particulate matter<2.5 µm (PM2.5), ozone and diesel particulate matter (DPM)), and four pollution source variables (proximity to traffic, National Priority List sites, Risk Management Plan (RMP) sites, and hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs)). Results of mixed model linear multiple regression analyses indicated that, controlling for covariates, COVID-19 prevalence and fatality rates were significantly associated with greater DPM. Proximity to TSDFs was associated to greater fatality rates, and proximity to RMPs was associated with greater prevalence rates. Results are consistent with previous research indicating that air pollution increases susceptibility to respiratory viral pathogens. Results should be interpreted cautiously given the ecological design, the time lag between exposure and outcome, and the uncertainties in measuring COVID-19 prevalence. Areas with worse prior air quality, especially higher concentrations of diesel exhaust, may be at greater COVID-19 risk, although further studies are needed to confirm these relationships.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced waste scenario: A short overview.

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown situation have shown both positive and negative effects on the environmental aspects. With an unprecedented rate the different types of waste volume have up surged along with the COVID-19 contamination rate. As the situation has mandated people as well as the most infected persons to stay at home, the amount of generated hazardous waste is 3.40 kg that can be expected daily from each infected person. China and other countries have seen a massive increment in the hazardous waste generation (about 600 % increase in Hubei province) amount. While dealing with this sudden increase in waste amount, the conventional incineration facilities have been outstripped and waste management industry is facing an immense pressure over handling hazardous waste generated from COVID-19 infected patients. Alongside with the hazardous waste volume, single-use plastic items and personal protective equipment (PPEs) have induced a new type of "PPE pollution" in the land and aquatic environment. The current review provides a countrywide waste generation amount, estimated using the infected number of cases for some selected countries. In contrast with the poor waste management noticed during this pandemic, some suggested approaches towards a better waste management service and future implications of waste management are discussed with viable consideration for the waste workers.