title: The safety of non-incineration waste disposal devices in four hospitals of Tehran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The safe management of hospital waste is a challenge in many developing countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions and the microbial disinfectant safety in non-incineration waste disposal devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  VOC emissions and microbial infections were measured in four non-incineration waste disposal devices including: autoclave with and without a shredder, dry heat system, and hydroclave. Using NIOSH and US EPA-TO14 guidelines, the concentration and potential risk of VOCs in emitted gases from four devices were assessed. ProSpore2 biological indicators were used to assess the microbial analysis of waste residue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in the type and concentration of VOCs and microbial infection of residues in the four devices. Emissions from the autoclave with a shredder had the highest concentration of benzene, ethyl benzene, xylene, and BTEX, and emissions from the hydroclave had the highest concentration of toluene. The highest level of microbial infection was observed in the residues of the autoclave without a shredder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an increased need for proper regulation and control of non-incinerator devices and for monitoring and proper handling of these devices in developing countries.
authors.forename: Aliasghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farshad
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gholami
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farzadkia
authors.forename: Roksana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirkazemi
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kermani
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007492:Iran; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: Autoclave,; Dry-heat systems; Hospital waste management,; Hydroclave,; Microbial quality,; Non-incineration waste disposal devices,; VOCs,; Waste residues,