Waste management from dental clinics: A case study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Autor: Teresa Rodrigues de Sousa A; Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil., Carlos Moutinho Pataca L; Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil., Costa Maia C; Superintendência de Limpeza Urbana (SLU), Prefeitura Municipal de Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil., Vidal Vimieiro G; Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil., Filipe Gonçalves M; Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Engineering School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., Paulo Gomes Mol M; Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: marcos.mol@funed.mg.gov.br.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Waste management (New York, N.Y.) [Waste Manag] 2024 Dec 01; Vol. 189, pp. 177-184. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 28.
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.08.027
Abstrakt: Healthcare waste management is a critical aspect of public health and environmental protection, particularly in establishments such as dental clinics. This study examined the dental clinic waste (DCW) management processes in clinics within the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Utilizing data from Healthcare Waste Management Plans (HCWMP) provided by the Urban Cleaning Superintendence, the study investigated waste generation, segregation, storage, collection, treatment, and final disposal practices. The results revealed that hazardous DCW represented a significant portion (26.5 %) of waste generated in dental clinics, exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended threshold. Biological waste (22.9 %), mainly consisting of cotton, gauze, and gloves contaminated with blood or body fluids, was the most generated hazardous waste group, followed by chemical (2.2 %) and sharps waste (1.3 %). Incineration was the predominant treatment method for hazardous DCW, raising concerns about environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. Non-hazardous waste, primarily destined for landfills, had limited recycling rates (2.4 %), emphasizing the need for improved waste management strategies to minimize environmental impacts and increase circular economy. Challenges in DCW management included inadequate segregation practices, limited recycling initiatives, and incomplete HCWMPs lacking descriptions of waste management beyond establishment boundaries. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive training programs, strengthened regulations, and increased environmental awareness among healthcare professionals. In conclusion, improving DCW management in dental clinics is crucial for mitigating occupational and environmental risks. Collective efforts are needed to enhance waste segregation, promote recycling, and ensure compliance with regulations, ultimately safeguarding public health and the environment.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: