Griffith University Gold Coast

1003MSH Introduction to Clinical Pathology

S2919108 Junio Alves de Lima

Article: Medical wastes management in the South of Brazil, JL Blenkharn, Waste Management
26 (2006), 315-317, Elsevier Ltd. Originally publish in: Da Silva, CE, Hoppe, AE, Ravanello,
MM, Melo, N, Waste Management, 25 (6), 600-605.

Physical injuries, risk of infections and an exposure to malefic chemicals are exorbitantly
linked to incorrectly medical wastes management, although as being inadmissible. New
technologies continue to drive advancements in waste administration, together with the
introduction of hard emanation standards for incinerators and stringent control standards non-
burn disposal technologies. However, the mark of it is if these improvements are accessible in
developing countries such as Brazil.
Management aspects reported by Da Silva, highlight in Brazil the difficulties that
developing countries have in order to have an effective and safety conduct of medical wastes
manipulation. A core disposal practices in southern Brazil comprehended by co-disposal with
municipal wastes, some limited autoclave treatment and incineration. His studies also shows that
conducts such as segregation, packaging, transport and the terminal disposal of clinical wastes
were considered inadequate and a hazard to health. Further, political and economic problems
report the root of society education perhaps responsible for failures wastes administration. A
long-term education for those changes is essential. Moreover, there is urgency for effective
political actions to deal with illicit salvage of discarded drugs and medical equipments.
Advanced technologies required high cost, as noticed by Da Silva a simple incinerator
performed poorly and with unacceptable emissions and incomplete combustion of wastes. As a
fact that it was largely abandoned in developed countries, becomes landfill disposal an essential
and affordable option. Effectives solutions may take years to achieve, requires investment and
international support. Appropriate and management increase must be preferable, these facts
remains a need to new technologies affordable as well as international financial and underlying
political to support the improvements in waste management in developing countries.