Abstract
Bottom ashes originating from medical waste incineration contain heavy metals capable of causing adverse effects to human beings and the environment. The main goal of this study is to establish levels of heavy metals in bottom ashes from medical waste incinerators to build a basis for the development of sustainable, safe, and efficient methods for healthcare waste management. The study assessed the level of heavy metals in the bottom ashes of thermally treated medical waste from six health care facilities in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). While As, Cd and Hg were below detection limit, Hg poses particular risk to public health since it may appear as vapour in the environment, which can be inhaled by human beings. The average concentration of other heavy metals followed the trend: Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Mn > Cu. All the metals investigated exceeded the USEPA regulation on maximum permissible levels of heavy metals in good soil quality, and hence classified as harmful and toxic. Therefore, there is a need to explore environmentally friendly techniques for proper disposal of ash generate
Recommended Citation
Mbuna, Julius; MANYELE, SAMWEL V.; Saria, Josephat; and Anicetus, Honest
(2020)
"Assessment of Heavy Metals in Bottom Ashes from Medical Waste Incinerators and their Associated Health Risks in Dar es Salaam,"
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 09:
No.
2, Article 3.
DOI: 10.56279/jhss.v9i2.55
Available at:
https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/jhss/vol09/iss2/3