scholarly journals 398 Theatre Waste Management and the Impact of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Luney ◽  
C Little

Abstract Introduction Audit of waste management in an elective orthopaedic complex was interrupted due Covid-19 pandemic. We investigated the impact of the enforced changes on theatre waste due to Covid-19. Method Over a 1week period data on waste bag availability and number of bags of each category of waste per surgical case in an elective theatre complex was collated; this was compared to waste generated during Covid-19 pandemic. Results Prior to Covid-19 only clinical waste bins were available in many non-dominant clinical areas providing evidence of inappropriate routine disposal of domestic/recyclable waste. Pre-Covid-19 a mean of 6waste bags were used per surgical case (3.7yellow clinical bags, 1.3black domestic bags, 0.4clear recycling bags), with Covid-19 changes to waste management practice the mean number of waste bags used per case increased to 11 (9 orange contaminated bags, 0.5black, 0.3clear bags). Conclusions Clinical waste management has a significant economic and environmental impact. Covid-19 has led to nearly all waste being deemed to be contaminated and so requiring incineration, with increased volumes of waste generated per case through widespread adoption of PPE. This has increased cost and reduced the ability to recycle non-contaminated waste.

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Sheppard ◽  
D. E. Elrick ◽  
S. R. Peterson

The nuclear industry uses computer models to calculate and assess the impact of its present and future releases to the environment, both from operating reactors and from existing licensed and planned waste management facilities. We review four soil models varying in complexity that could be useful for environmental impact assessment. The goal of this comparison is to direct the combined use of these models in order to preserve simplicity, yet increase the rigor of Canadian environmental assessment calculations involving soil transport pathways. The four models chosen are: the Soil Chemical Exchange and Migration of Radionuclides (SCEMR1) model; the Baes and Sharp/Preclosure PREAC soil model, both used in Canada's nuclear fuel waste management program; the Convection-Dispersion Equation (CDE) model, commonly used in contaminant transport applications; and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) derived release limit model used for normal operations at nuclear facilities. We discuss how each model operates, its timestep and depth increment options and the limitations of each of the models. Major model assumptions are discussed and the performance of these models is compared quantitatively for a scenario involving surface deposition or irrigation. A sensitivity analysis of the CDE model illustrates the influence of the important model parameters: the amount of infiltrating water, V; the hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient, D; and the soil retention or partition coefficient, Kd. The important parameters in the other models are also identified. This work shows we need tested, robust, mechanistic unsaturated soil models with easily understood and measurable inputs, including data for the sensitive or important model parameters for Canada's priority contaminants. Soil scientists need to assist industry and its regulators by recommending a selection of models and supporting them with the provision of validation data to ensure high-quality environmental risk assessments are carried out in Canada. Key words: Soil transport models, environmental impact assessments, model structure, complexity and performance, radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr, 129I


Author(s):  
Diovana Napoleão ◽  
Letícia Alvarenga de Paula Eduardo ◽  
Roberta Veloso Garcia ◽  
Estaner Claro Romão

Environmental issues have been a prominent issue worldwide and the increase in plastic production and the lack of post-consumer waste management programs result in inadequate disposal and deposition in terrestrial and aquatic environments, causing environmental impacts. This paper was developed through the analysis of aspects of pedagogical practice in relation to environmental education with the plastic theme and its environmental impact on the environment. In this perspective, environmental education through the individual and the collectivity builds social values, knowledge, skills and competences aimed at the conservation of the environment. However, it was observed that addressing environmental issues should be considered a challenge for teachers, as it is a broad and diverse subject, as they are not prepared for the development of these activities and schools do not have the infrastructure to meet the needs of approaches to environmental issues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Habtamu Wondimu

This study aimed to examine the impact of poor solid waste management on student’s health care at Gondar University of “Tewodros” campus. The study used a mixed-method approach. To recruit sample respondents', both probability and non-probability sampling methods have been employed. In the meantime, the study revealed the sources of solid waste, it is understood that the poorly collected and managed solid wastes of the study area due to the lack of necessary materials and facilities of waste collection, lack of laborers engaged in street sweeping and daily removal of solid waste is now becoming the major causes of environmental problems such as surface and groundwater pollution problems. Besides, the student’s health office personnel in the interview approached the general health status of the students on the campus during this year. Accordingly, dysentery, common cold, and typhoid are the most frequently appear disease on the Tewodros campus. Therefore, there should be a “students committee “at the campus level to control illegal dumping and to develop practice and habits of poor waste handling and disposal in the community, and there must be apparent regulation and policy frameworks that prohibit poor waste management.


2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 1528-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Victorelli ◽  
Flávia Martão Flório ◽  
Juliana Cama Ramacciato ◽  
Rogério Heládio Lopes Motta ◽  
Almenara de Souza Fonseca Silva

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