Mochungong Peter Ikome Kuwoh, Gulis Gabriel, Sodemann Morten
Institute for Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark.
Int J Health Care Qual Assur. 2012;25(1):6-18. doi: 10.1108/09526861211192377.
Incinerators are widely used to treat clinical waste in Cameroon's Northwest Region. These incinerators cause public apprehension owing to purported risks to operators, communities and the environment. This article aims to summarize findings from an April 2008 case study.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Three incinerators were randomly selected and investigated for site, design and operating standards. Empirical field observation was adopted and data collected through inventory and informal interviews. Bottom ash samples collected from the incinerators were prepared according to standard procedures and analyzed for heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Emission Spectroscopy.
Shortcomings associated with site selection, design and operation standards were identified. Chemical analysis revealed that Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mg and Ca were present in the bottom ash with mean concentration ranging from 10 mg/kg for Pb to 178080 mg/kg for Ca.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: For logistic reasons, feedstock quantity and quality into the incinerators were not investigated. Neither were soil samples around and away from the incinerators.
Although highly favored, clinical waste incineration methods in this region have to be reconsidered. A thorough health and environmental impact assessment is suggested before subsequent decisions on choice and disposal site is made. This will curb potential negative impacts to the environment and public health.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article adds a different perspective and sheds additional information to the debate on unsatisfactory clinical waste incinerators in resources-poor countries. Alternative methods to incineration are presented that will be helpful to practitioners.
焚化炉在喀麦隆西北地区被广泛用于处理医疗废物。这些焚化炉因对操作人员、社区和环境存在所谓风险而引起公众担忧。本文旨在总结2008年4月一项案例研究的结果。
设计/方法/途径：随机选择三座焚化炉，对其选址、设计和运行标准进行调查。采用实地观察法，通过清点和非正式访谈收集数据。从焚化炉收集的底灰样本按照标准程序制备，使用电感耦合等离子体（ICP）发射光谱法分析其中的重金属。
确定了与选址、设计和运行标准相关的不足之处。化学分析表明，底灰中存在铬、铜、铁、锰、镍、铅、锌、镁和钙，平均浓度范围从铅的10毫克/千克到钙的178080毫克/千克。
研究局限/影响：出于后勤原因，未对进入焚化炉的原料数量和质量进行调查。也未对焚化炉周围及远离焚化炉的土壤样本进行检测。
尽管备受青睐，但该地区的医疗废物焚烧方法必须重新考虑。建议在对选择和处置地点做出后续决定之前，进行全面的健康和环境影响评估。这将遏制对环境和公众健康的潜在负面影响。
原创性/价值：本文为资源匮乏国家中不尽人意的医疗废物焚化炉的争论增添了不同视角并提供了更多信息。文中介绍了焚烧的替代方法，对从业者将有所帮助。
