A new study from Transparency Market Research (TMR), a market intelligence company, says that the technical developments resulting in the adoption of non-incineration technologies and the increasing government regulation and legislations globally are amongst the chief factors fueling the medical waste market.
In addition, the expansion of the healthcare industry globally and the increasing count of off-site treatment methods have also impacted the market positively. So, we know that healthcare activities are aimed at curing patients, protecting the health of individuals, and saving lives.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 85% of the total amount of waste generated through healthcare activities is general and non-hazardous in nature. But, these healthcare activities also generate waste which may aid the spread of infectious diseases or cause injuries. Thus, the remaining 15% is hazardous material that may be radioactive or toxic in nature.
Poor waste management may jeopardize patients and their families, employees handling medical waste, care staff and the others who come in contact with it, and even result in pollution or environmental contamination. However, these risks can be significantly reduced using appropriate and simple measures. A number of new technologies have also penetrated the market to make this job easier. The working of these waste management systems has been elaborated below:
Treatments Fueling the Medical Waste Market
1. Incineration Technology
Incineration comprises a very high-temperature, thermal process and allows combustion of waste in controlled conditions to convert it into inert gases and materials. Incinerators often are either electrically powered, oil-fired, or a combination of both. Incinerators utilized for hospital waste management are of three main types, namely: controlled air, multiple hearth, or rotary kiln. All of these incinerators comprise both primary, as well as secondary, combustion chambers for ensuring an optimal combustion.
- Controlled Air – commonly used for waste with organic matter, this process combusts and oxidizes waste, leading to a stream of gas with a CO2 and water vapor mixture
- Multiple Hearth – a circular steel furnace containing solid refractory hearths with a central rotating shaft converts waste into ash
- Rotary Kiln – a drum-shaped incinerator commonly used for medical and hazardous waste
Non-Incineration Technology:
This treatment incorporates four key processes, namely: chemical, thermal, biological, and irradiative. Non-incineration technologies majorly employee chemical, as well as thermal processes. The key aim of this treatment technology is the decontamination of waste by destroying of the pathogens.
2. Irradiation (i.e. Microwave)
Microwave Irradiation is based upon the principle of generating high-frequency waves inside of a microwave (no, not a real microwave oven). The waves cause the vibration of the particles present within the waste material and thus generate heat (but just like a microwave oven). The heat generated from this wave will kill all bacteria present or any other contamination in the tools.
3. Chemical and Plasma Pyrolysis
Chemical decontamination is primarily used for microbiology lab waste, human blood, sharps and bodily fluids, but cannot be used for anatomical waste (i.e. body parts).
Plasma Pyrolysis is state-of-the-art technology that might just be the most eco-friendly technology on the list, converting organic waste into by-products, which are then commercially used. The extreme heat generated by plasma results in the disposal of all kinds of wastes including biomedical waste, municipal solid waste, and hazardous waste in a reliable and safe manner.
4. Biological
This method employs enzymes to destroy organic matters found in medical waste. But while this sounds great, few non-incineration technologies have been based on this biological method. In fact, this enzyme breakdown process is vastly underdeveloped and rarely every used.
5. Autoclaving
Autoclaving, a rather well-known process now, works on the principle of a standard pressure cooker and involves the utilization of heat at extremely high temperatures. The steam generated at these high temperatures kills all microorganisms in the medical waste. Autoclaving is of three main types, namely: pre-vacuum, retort, and gravity. Autoclaving is often used for bodily fluid waste, sharps, and microbiology lab waste.
The market for medical waste management is poised to experience exponential growth owing to a plethora of treatment technologies available in the market for medical waste management. However, the soaring costs of initial investments of these technologies may have a negative impact on the growth of the market.
The market for medical waste management is poised to experience exponential growth owing to a plethora of treatment technologies available in the market for medical waste management. However, the soaring costs of initial investments of these technologies may have a negative impact on the growth of the market.
