Microwave remediation of hazardous medical wastes

危险医疗废物微波修复

• 批准号: 6932715
• 负责人: PRASANNA CHANDRASEKHAR
• 金额: $ 9.93万
• 依托单位: ASHWIN-USHAS CORPORATION, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-05-15 至 2006-05-14
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6932715
• 关键词: bacteria; bioterrorism /chemical warfare; communicable diseases; environmental contamination; hazardous substances; health care facility; hospital equipment /supply; method development; microwave radiation; polyethylene glycols; virus; waste disposal

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Infectious Medical Wastes, e.g. hospital wastes, represent a major component of hazardous wastes generated in the U.S. annually, with > 4.5 million tons generated from > 7,000 hospitals. Incineration remains the predominant disposal method, with continued problems of environmental pollution, severe local opposition, transportation, high costs associated with these, and the threat of new laws shutting down incinerators. In recently completed work for the Army, this firm demonstrated a novel microwave technology for destruction of three types of wastes - Infectious Medical Wastes; Biological Warfare agents; and Chemical Warfare agents. Our technology, developed in collaboration with one of the world's premier university microwave chemistry groups, developed unique methodologies, such as proprietary microwave enhancers and unique microwave-superheated-vapor exposure methods. Using domestic microwave ovens and simple, ambient-pressure techniques, complete destruction of hardy spores of model organisms was demonstrated, typically with 3 minutes exposure at 1 KW. Remediation of mixed wastes including metallic parts (e.g. sharps), bandages, gloves, cotton, etc., and volume/weight reduction to < 25% of the original, were demonstrated. An extremely inexpensive, rapid and environmentally benign, benchtop, point-of-service methodology was developed, suitable for use locally by individual hospital departments. In the proposed work, this technology will be further developed, scaled up, and demonstrated, firstly for a wide variety of organisms and simulated mixed wastes, then for pathogenic organisms, and finally with actual mixed wastes. The work is a collaborative effort with the university microwave group, the Regional BioDefense Lab, and a local hospital.

描述（由申请人提供）： 传染性医疗废物，例如医院废物是美国每年产生的危险废物的主要组成部分，超过 7,000 家医院产生超过 450 万吨。焚烧仍然是主要的处置方法，但环境污染、当地强烈反对、运输、与这些相关的高成本以及新法律关闭焚烧厂的威胁仍然存在。在最近为陆军完成的工作中，该公司展示了一种新颖的微波技术，用于销毁三种类型的废物：传染性医疗废物；生物战剂；和化学战剂。我们的技术是与世界一流大学微波化学小组之一合作开发的，开发了独特的方法，例如专有的微波增强剂和独特的微波过热蒸汽暴露方法。使用家用微波炉和简单的环境压力技术，模型生物的耐寒孢子被完全破坏，通常在 1 千瓦下暴露 3 分钟。展示了对金属部件（例如锐器）、绷带、手套、棉花等混合废物的修复，以及将体积/重量减少到原来的 25% 以下。开发了一种极其便宜、快速且环境友好的台式服务点方法，适合各个医院部门在当地使用。在拟议的工作中，这项技术将得到进一步开发、扩大和示范，首先针对多种生物和模拟混合废物，然后针对病原生物，最后针对实际的混合废物。这项工作是与大学微波小组、地区生物防御实验室和当地一家医院合作完成的。