Comparison and prioritize the different disinfection methods of infectious waste

There are various methods for the disinfection of infectious wastes which are of great importance due to their potential health and environmental risks and there are different insights about their management in Iran. Hence, the aim of this study was to survey the various aspects of disinfection methods of infectious waste on the basis of environmental health specialist insights. For performing this study, a questionnaire was prepared and the opinions of the specialists were gathered about five disinfection and disposal methods of infectious wastes, and finally the data were analyzed. Moreover, the preferences of the specialists for selecting each method were also asked based on 9 various aspects. It was found that health issues received the highest priority (with 26% of desirability) from the specialists in selecting the method, while the lowest priority was assigned for financial issues (with 8% of desirability) and political acceptability (with 6% of desirability). Environmental health specialists believed that autoclaving and waste incinerating with 77.8% and 44.1% of desirability, respectively, are the most favorable and undesirable methods for disinfecting the infectious wastes. The results showed that the disinfection is a top priority for the specialists, and, with respect to current situation, they did not make any significant difference between on-site and ex-situ disinfecting methods, which is reflected in the scores of 3.65 and 3.72 for these two scenarios. Overall, health aspects have the most important priority in the management of infectious wastes. Therefore, autoclaving and microwaving are the most appropriate methods for the disinfection of such wastes. Landfilling and incineration were not suggested for the disposal or treatment of infectious wastes.