Management of hazardous medical waste in Croatia

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 28; no. 6; pp. 1049 - 1056
• Main Authors: Marinković, Natalija, Vitale, Ksenija, Holcer, Nataša Janev, Džakula, Aleksandar, Pavić, Tomo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2008; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; COMBUSTION; Croatia; Exact sciences and technology; General treatment and storage processes; Hazardous Waste - analysis; INCINERATORS; MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; Medical Waste - analysis; Medical Waste Disposal - methods; Other wastes and particular components of wastes; Pollution; POLLUTION REGULATIONS; PUBLIC HEALTH; REVIEWS; Urban and domestic wastes; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES; Croatia; Waste management; Incineration plant; Hospital waste; Incineration; Legislation; Regulation; Hospital; Public health
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2007.01.021

This article provides a review of hazardous medical waste production and its management in Croatia. Even though Croatian regulations define all steps in the waste management chain, implementation of those steps is one of the country’s greatest issues. Improper practice is evident from the point of waste production to final disposal. The biggest producers of hazardous medical waste are hospitals that do not implement existing legislation, due to the lack of education and funds. Information on quantities, type and flow of medical waste are inadequate, as is sanitary control. We propose an integrated approach to medical waste management based on a hierarchical structure from the point of generation to its disposal. Priority is given to the reduction of the amounts and potential for harm. Where this is not possible, management includes reduction by sorting and separating, pretreatment on site, safe transportation, final treatment and sanitary disposal. Preferred methods should be the least harmful for human health and the environment. Integrated medical waste management could greatly reduce quantities and consequently financial strains. Landfilling is the predominant route of disposal in Croatia, although the authors believe that incineration is the most appropriate method. In a country such as Croatia, a number of small incinerators would be the most economical solution.