title: Solid health care waste management status at health care centers in the West Bank--Palestinian Territory.
abstract: Health care waste is considered a major public health hazard. The objective of this study was to assess health care waste management (HCWM) practices currently employed at health care centers (HCCs) in the West Bank--Palestinian Territory. Survey data on solid health care waste (SHCW) were analyzed for generated quantities, collection, separation, treatment, transportation, and final disposal. Estimated 4720.7 m(3) (288.1 tons) of SHCW are generated monthly by the HCCs in the West Bank. This study concluded that: (i) current HCWM practices do not meet HCWM standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) or adapted by developed countries, and (ii) immediate attention should be directed towards improvement of HCWM facilities and development of effective legislation. To improve the HCWM in the West Bank, a national policy should be implemented, comprising a comprehensive plan of action and providing environmentally sound and reliable technological measures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental and Water Studies, Birzeit University, Ramallah, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory.
authors.forename: Issam A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Al-Khatib
authors.forename: Chikashi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D006268:Health Facilities; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008877:Middle East; D011639:Public Opinion; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D014186:Transportation
chemical_list: D008506:Medical Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D011850:Radioactive Waste