DISPOSAL OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT - CONTAMINATED WASTE

CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT CONTAMINATED WASTES PRESENT A PROBLEM OF DISPOSAL FOR HOSPITALS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, DUE TO THE TOXIC NATURE OF THESE AGENTS AND THE NECESSARY TO CONTROL ACCESS TO THESE WASTES AT ALL TIMES. THIS PROPOSAL USES A PROVEN DISPOSAL METHOD UTILIZING THERMAL DESTRUCTION OF THE WASTES. THE DESTRUCTION APPARATUS IS LOCATED IN ITS OWN ROOM WITH INDEPENDENT VENTILATION. WASTE IS DELIVERED IN PLASTIC BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND IS DEPOSITED, UNOPENED, INTO THE UNIT. THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED BY THE OPERATOR AFTER THE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC UNIT INDICATES EQUIPMENT READINESS. AT THIS POINT THE OPERATOR ALLOWS THE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC UNIT TO TAKE OVER ALL PROCESS FUNCTIONS. THE WASTE IS SUBJECTED TO TEMPERATURES SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO CAUSE THERMAL DESTRUCTION OF THE CONTAMINANTS. IN AN AFTERBURNER THE DESTRUCTION BY-PRODUCTS ARE OXIDIZED TO PRODUCE SAFE PRODUCTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER VAPOR, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, ETC. FINALLY, TO ASSURE OVERALL SAFETY, THE GASES ARE SUBJECTED TO AQUEOUS AND CHEMICAL SCRUBBING.