Category: Health

Benefits of Having Plants at Your Work Station

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It is no great secret that human has always wanted to be constantly connected with nature. This is why more and more people are placing natural elements like plants near them – whether it may be in the living room or in an item of office furniture in the Philippines. If you are looking for reasons as to why you should start surrounding yourself with plants, here are some of the benefits of having it – most especially in your work station.

Reduced stress

One of the key benefits of having a plant in your work station is that it greatly reduces one’s stress levels. In fact, it does not only aid in minimizing stress, hence, it also lowers a person’s anxiety, tension, depression, dejection, anger, hostility, and fatigue.

The reason behind this is that the color green makes a person be more relaxed and calm, which in turn, will help decrease negative emotion levels. This only goes to show that surrounding yourself with plants while you are working will definitely lift your spirits, and at the same time, promote and enhance one’s well-being and performance at work.

A boost to creativity

Aside from the fact that having plants near you while working reduces stress and decreases negative emotions, it also helps in boosting your creativity. This is because having s glance or a view of nature or natural elements such as plants can certainly shift one’s brain into a different processing mode. As a result of this shift, it makes you be more relaxed which helps you to concentrate more at work.

Increasing productivity

Given that plants can boost your creativity, another benefit that it can give you is to help in increasing your work productivity. Whether you have your own plant in your work station or you are surrounded by home plants in the office, your work productivity will definitely increase as this greatly helps in improving your memory retention skill and score higher in various basic tests that you will encounter while you are at work.

Minimizing sickness and absences

Other than the work performance benefits that plants give you, being exposed to plants helps in improving your overall well-being. As a result, you are not prone to sickness – which in turn, will help you in being present at work consistently. This will not only assist you to be more proactive at work, hence, will also aid you to be on time or ahead of your workloads.

More attractive office

Having plants in your work station or in the office makes the place more attractive and inviting, not just with the employees, but with job applicants as well. Though this may be a minor factor as this falls under the aesthetic of a place, more and more job applicants tend to base their decision on this aspect.

One report said that most job applicants make the workplace design a basis as to whether they will join that company or not. For this reason, opting to have natural elements in your office is indeed the way to go if you want your current and future employees to help stay motivated and productive in the workplace.

Key Takeaway

Opting to let nature get into your work station or office entails a number of benefits – from the employees’ productivity to their overall well-being. For this reason, it is a must that you start to go green in order for you to see and experience the results yourself!

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Herbs and Supplements For Treating Diabetes Naturally

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Diabetes is one of the most prominent medical problem in the 21st century. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of patients who have diabetes in 2007 was 146 million, and by 2025, it will increase to 380 million, of which 90% are patients with type 2 diabetes. There are a wide array of herbs and organic supplements available to treat and control diabetes naturally. Let us have a close look at them:

Herbs for Treating Diabetes

Turnip-rooted cabbage is very useful for patients with sugar disease. This sort is not as widely spread as the standard white cabbage, but extremely useful and, importantly, stored well until the next harvest and very tasty!

Such plant as artichoke or earth apple deserves special attention, which is valuable because it contains insulin-like substances that contribute to the normalization of body metabolism.

A contagious disease can be the cause of pancreatic diabetes. In this case, we can recommend the collection of medicinal herbs to strengthen the immune system, as well as vitamin containing and conditioning. If to speak about medicinal herbs, first of all, it is worth paying attention to such ones as bottlebrush, Echinacea, willow herb, knotgrass, stinging nettle.

Medicinal plants cannot wholly replace diabetic drugs. You can combine medicinal plants with a diet used as monotherapy (adult diabetes, compensated only by food), physical exercise, as well as hypoglycemic drugs with constant medical supervision.

Supplements for Treating Diabetes Naturally

Individual studies suggest that zinc makes levels of glucose (glycemic control) of patients who have diabetes better. During diabetes, late complications can develop, such as nerve disorder, kidney damage, and eye-lesion. Besides, the risk of cardiovascular accidents, such as angina attacks and blood-strokes, increases.

Type 1 diabetes is a form of diabetes when the body can no longer produce insulin. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age, obesity, and, of course, lack of physical activity. It is characterized by the spreading inability of a body to use insulin well. Zinc plays a crucial part in insulin acting and, in theory; zinc supplemental of patients with insulin resistance can prevent the conditions of diabetes.

Chrome is famous as a cure for improving the control of diabetes. Although specific studies have shown a sound effect of chrome during diabetes, there are no recommendations for use in the treatment at the moment.

There were studies of magnesium for quite some time as a therapy to make blood glucose control for people who are sick better. Magnesium deficiency is redolent of pathologic insulin release and complications of diabetes.

Vanadium, arose from plants, has shown increased insulin resistance in several studies. However, there are still no recommendations for adding it to the treatment of sick people. Most of the products of plant origin are high-fiber, which helps to control levels of blood glucose.

There have been no clinical trials of great promise on other plants that may be good during diseases, such as redberry, nettle, ginger, hawthorn or garlic. If you are sick and you want to take some of the vegetable matters mentioned above, consult a physician first.

Preventive treatment

It is recommended to drink tea from 4 g of blueberry leaf and bean leaves, 3 g of rosehip and strawberry leaf, 1 g of yarrow herb each. Other collection: 4 g nettle leaf, hips, blueberries and the top of a flowering plant of oats, 3 g burdock root, 2 g dandelion root. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over any of the listed fees, heat for 20 minutes over low heat, let tea draw for 30 minutes and drink as tea when you have diabetes. You need to take a break for 5-10 days every 3-4 weeks of treatment.

People who went through emotional upset should immediately carry out a comprehensive sedative therapy; in particular, it is advisable to use soothing medicinal herbs. Some of them are:

1) Spirea —————————— 3 parts

Hops ———————————- 2 pieces

Creeping thyme ———————-3 parts

2) Yellow melilot——————– 3 parts

Sagebrush—————————- 3 parts

Greek valerian————————3 pieces

3) Common motherwort———— 3 parts

Valeriana officinalis—————– 2 parts

Rosebay willowherb—————– 2 pieces

You should make herbal tea according to the same scheme: pour boiling water on it, incubate in a water bath for 30 minutes, remove, wrap and let tea draw for another 1.5-2 hours: filter and chill. Have one glass a day for 3–4 doses per day.

If your work requires constant concentration of attention (drivers, surgeons, traffic controllers, and others), then it is better to take the restorative drink late in the afternoon, twice for 0.5 cups at 5-6 PM and the rest of the healthy drink 1.5 hours before bedtime.

The course of treatment is 1.5 months; if necessary, repeat the course with a break of no more than two weeks.

Replace sugar

Instead of sugar and its synthetic substitutes, it is better to use natural sweeteners of vegetable origin, for example, stevia (“honey grass”). Regular use of stevia reduces the level of glucose and cholesterol in the body, improves the functioning of the liver and pancreas glands.

What you need to think about before you begin to use herbal preparations in case of diabetes mellitus.

Many herbal practitioners believe that juice of some vegetables, fruits, and berries can reduce the level of glucose in blood: fresh leaves of white cabbage, roots of new potatoes, fresh wild strawberry, cornelian cherries, pears, European mountain ash, and black chokeberry.

Use of fresh juice of vegetables and fruits is useful for sick people; however, no reliable information extracts of any plants, nuts, and berries reduce the level of glucose in blood what is more regardless of carbohydrates amount.

About the Author

There is always a smile on Melisa Marzett`s face. She believes that a smile is better than a precious stone. She walks hand in hands with optimism and curiosity. Melissa works as a freelance writer at http://www.findwritingservice.com at this point and enjoys every moment of life. She knows how to use her time profitably and live in harmony.

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Environmental Impacts of Pest Prevention Strategies

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The increased amount and recurrence of chemical-based pesticides have presented a noteworthy challenge to the potential creepy crawlies making them either scatter to new living conditions. The adaptation of such creepy crawlies to the new living condition could be ascribed to the few components, for example, mutation, change in their growth rates, an increase in the number of generations. This has at last brought about expanded occurrence of rest appearance and resurgence of bug species that are impervious to pesticides.

Preferably a pesticide ought to be lethal for the targeted pests, yet not to non-target species, including human beings and pets. Alas, this is not the situation, so the debate of usage and misuse of pesticides has raised. The uncontrolled use of these synthetics, under the aphorism, “if little is great, much more will be better” has played ruin with human and other living organisms.

But you need to keep in mind that every class of the pesticides come with a set of environmental issues. Such effects have caused the pesticides to be banned, while their regulation and use has been limited. On the other hand, with technology on the rise, many advancements have been made in the pesticides sector too. Most of them are now generally more species-specific and less persistent, which eventually means that there would be a lower environmental footprint.

Below are discussed some of the negative and positive impacts on the environment because of pest removal services. Keep reading till the end to learn more about their impacts on targeted, non-targeted organisms and the environment itself.

Impact on Humans

Pesticides can enter the body while we inhale aerosol products, residue, and vapor that contain pesticides; through excess oral exposure by eating food or drinking water and even through the skin which is in direct contact with sunlight. Pesticides discharge into soils which can finish up in drinking water.

Kids are highly susceptible to pesticides since they are as yet developing and have a more fragile invulnerable immune system than grown-ups. Kids might be increasingly exposed because of their closer nearness to the ground and habit to put objects in their mouth. Hand to mouth contact relies upon the kid’s age, much like exposure to lead.

Pesticides often get tracked into the home from relatives increases the danger. Poisonous residue in food material may give to a child exposure. The synthetic substances can bio-mass in the body after some time.

Impact on Aquatic Life

Fish and other sea creatures might be harmed by contaminated water by pesticides. Pesticide overflow into streams and rivers can be exceptionally deadly to marine life, here and there murdering all the fish in the stream.

The usage of herbicides to rivers and streams can cause fish kills when the dead plants rot and expend the water’s oxygen, choking out the fish. Herbicides, for example, a copper sulfite that is connected to water to kill plants are poisonous to underwater creatures.

Rehashed exposure to sub-lethal parts of a few types of the pesticides can cause behavioral and physiological changes that reduce the fish population, for example, deserting of their nests and broods, diminished resistance to malady and diminished predator shirking

The quicker a given pesticide separates in nature, the less danger it postures to amphibian life. Bug sprays are ordinarily more harmful to amphibian life than herbicides and fungicides

Impact on Animals

Most species of the living creatures including the humans are harmed by pesticides, which has eventually led to numerous nations to control pesticide use through Biodiversity Action Plans.

Living organisms such as animals and humans might be harmed by pesticide development that remains on food, for instance when wild creatures enter spray fields or close-by territories soon after showering.

Pesticides can dispense with a few creatures’ basic food sources, making the creatures migrate from one place to another in the search of food, change their eating regimen or they might starve to death. The pesticide residue can go up the natural way of life; for instance, birds can be hurt when they eat bugs and worms that have expended pesticides.

Did you know that earthworms digest organic materials and increase nutrient content in the top layer of soil? They ought to secure human safety by ingesting disintegrating litter and filling in as bio-indicators of soil. Pesticides have affected the development and generation of worms. A few pesticides can bio-accumulate, or develop to dangerous dimensions in the collections of living beings that devour them after some time, a wonder that impacts animal groups high on the natural way of life particularly hard.

Conclusion

Numerous options are accessible to reduce the environmental impacts of pest prevention. Choices incorporate manual expulsion, applying heat, covering weeds with plastic, putting traps and baits, evacuating pest breeding. In the case of raccoons, wasp, termites, or mice control, always opt to hire professionals. Undertaking such ventures with little or no experience can harm you.

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5 Innovative Ways to Make Urban Farming More Sustainable

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Urban farms are becoming increasingly popular in cities around the world. Creative farming models are now being cultivated in a diverse range of urban spaces, from rooftops to within tall, enclosed buildings. These innovative growing methods prioritize sustainability, which plays a key role in making sure that our urban creations have the least negative impact on the environment. Here are 5 ways to maximize sustainability in your urban farm.

Rooftop Farming

One literally ‘top’ trend in urban agriculture is rooftop farming. This method makes clever use of an urban space that is typically unused and has been praised for its positive environmental impact. Rooftop farms provide extra insulation for buildings, lower temperatures in summer and maintain heat in the winter. These factors translate to less use of heating and cooling systems, which saves significant amounts of energy and money.

Plants grown on rooftops capture moisture in the air, which means that rooftop farms also help reduce the storm water flow that can pollute waterways and overwhelm sewage treatment facilities.

Vertical farming

Vertical farms produce crops in vertical layers in a controlled environment. Most vertical farms are created with tall enclosed structures, using height to maximize growth. This innovative approach to urban farming can help to maintain crop production all year round, without relying on favorable weather conditions, soil fertility, or excessive water use.

Establishing vertical farms in urban areas can ultimately help to create a more sustainable environment by contributing to less abandoned buildings, a cleaner atmosphere, better water conservation, and a positive impact on the health of the surrounding communities.

Shipping Container Farming

Recently, using shipping containers as urban farms has become increasingly popular. There is an abundance of shipping containers that are left unused every year, free to be used as indoor farms. These steel structures are durable, versatile, portable and stackable: ready to be placed as a container farm on any site with a strong, level surface.

The versatility of shipping containers provides a range of opportunities to create an enclosed ‘farm’ in any location, from your backyard to corporate campuses. Compared to traditional fixed structures, container farms can be set up in a relatively short period of time.

Using Hydroponic Systems

Innovative new growing techniques have played a key role in the sustainability of urban farming. Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil, a technique commonly used in vertical farming. This method has been shown to have some environmental benefits.

The controlled and closed environment of hydroponic systems usually eliminates the need for pesticides, meaning less poisonous chemicals on the food and plants grown. Hydroponic systems can also recycle water and nutrients, putting less strain on water systems. This sustainable style of growing has become a top choice for many large-scale greenhouses.

Using Aquaponic Systems

Aquaponics is one of the most sustainable methods of urban agriculture. Simply put, this method combines traditional aquaculture with hydroponics. Many farmers have embraced this method to become more environmentally responsible and promote good health within their local communities.

Aquaponic systems can grow many types of food without consuming too many resources. Only a few pieces of equipment in this method actually require power – and in most systems, the water is circulated rather than disposed of after use. Using this style of indoor urban farming, you can ultimately grow more food while using less water, labor and land.

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Storage of Household Chemicals: A Guide

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Being environmentally conscious means you should buy eco-friendly products whenever possible. However, there are some cases in which a “green” substitute may not be readily available. As hard as you may try to avoid them, we sometimes need to rely on harsh chemicals for many of our housekeeping tasks.

Household chemicals, such as cleansers, drain cleaners, deodorizers and other products have the potential to not only harm the ecosystem, but also our health if not handled properly. It is essential to know the basics of storage of household chemicals that can be found in and around the house, in order to safeguard public health as well as the environment.

One of the most important principles is to read the label prior to usage/storage. Certain cleaners need to be kept in specific conditions or temperatures to avoid hazardous situations. Proper organization is also key when it comes to using these products responsibly. Re-label any containers that have been around long enough to where original labels are faded or missing.

Homeowners should know the location(s) of their local hazardous material disposal stations, as well. Proper handling of these materials will help prevent them from getting into the mainstream environment, where they can cause public health and ecological issues.

Going green means choosing all-natural products as often as you can. When it’s not possible, you need to take extra care. The accompanying guide details what you should know about the correct ways to store and handle household chemicals.

 

Household Chemical Storage Guide from SolvChem Custom Packaging Division
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7 Negative Effects of A Used Car On The Environment

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Despite the fact that used cars are pocket-friendly and easy to buy, they leave bad imprints on the environment in one way or the other. If you are unaware of them, please check these 7 negative effects of a used car on the environment.

1. Destruction of natural resources

Natural resources are the gifts of nature, which we should care about. Despite being the most brainy creature on this planet, we share the maximum part in the destruction of the natural resources available on earth. While producing cars and other automobiles, it uses a large amount of steel, iron, plastics, rubber and other materials. Similar, most of such products are created to make the car look dashing. Even the production processes also consume a great portion of energy which directly or indirectly affects the environment.

Most of the major players are changing their manufacturing strategies with new cars, but an option of a used car is still available which implants a significant effect on the surrounding environment.

2. Global warming

Either it’s a brand new car or any used car, they both run by consuming fuel and energy. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are the major constituents in the exhausts released by the cars. The new cars are made up of better engines in accordance to the latest norms of pollution controls. On another hand, used cars are responsible to release more carbon contents as they are made up with the earlier technologies.

Basically, the engines get worn up with time and they are unable to burn the fuel in the required ratio. This inability leads to the yield of carbon monoxide which harms the ozone layer leading to global warming.

3. Air, soil and water

Car pollutants create a bad impact of the natural resources like air, water, and soil. It depletes the quality of these resources very badly. Pollutants, like nitrous oxide, harms the ozone layer, which is essential and protects from the ultraviolet radiations from the sun.

Other pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide when mixed with rainwater, leads to acid rains. Acid rains badly damage the crop quality, forests, plantation, other vegetation, and buildings. Engine oils, brake oils, and other such lubricants are thrown on the soil or in water resources like river, sea, lakes which contaminates the water and also leads to the death of the water animals.

4. Affecting human health

Human health is badly affected by the used car emitted particles, like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and other car pollutants which are considered bad. The diesel engines are responsible for emitting a high level of pollutants which act as airborne particles like soot and metals.

These particles generally cause irritation and allergies to skin and eyes. Even fine particles are often inhaled by the people which lead to respiratory problems affecting the lungs. Ozone is beneficial for the upper layer in the atmosphere but when one inhales it, it causes problems like chest pains, cough and is very difficult to breathe in. Even the noise produced by the cars causes noise pollution which is bad for the ears as well and often leads to physiological problems.

5. Used car produce more carbon content

Every product produced comes with an expiry date and using it beyond this time can be very harmful in for the user. Similar way, cars to have a working age, in which they perform their best with creating minor effects on the environment. Manufacturers have to produce cars with respect to the pollution norms and by conducting tests, they deduce the working life of the car.

Used cars have a detrimental impact on the environment and public health

Relying on used cars can affect the environment badly as they release major harmful pollutants. These pollutants have different effects on the surroundings which are not good for the humans and the surrounding environments.

6. Toxic battery acids

The car batteries are made up of toxic materials like nickel and they are responsible to produce fumes of harmful gases as well. Most of the car users forget the timely replacement of these batteries and some indulge in burning the used batteries. On burning these batteries emits toxic fumes which can cause respiratory problems and affect the lungs.

Leaking batteries too are dangerous when the electrolyte comes in contact with the body. It badly damages the skin, eyes and other parts of the body.

7. Consume more fuel

Fuel is the major source which drives the vehicle. Cars provide mileage with respect to their engine properties and consume fuel to give better performance. The way one drives a car plays an important factor in the fuel consumption but in the case of used cars, they generally consume more fuel than the latest versions of hybrid cars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cars are an essential mode of transportation and they really help a lot in reducing a major part of human efforts. But in one or the other way, cars have a major impact on the surrounding environment. In this post, you can check some negative effect of a used car on the environment.

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Tips to Make Your Coffee Tastier Without Sugar

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Raise your hands: Do you love coffee? A whole lot of people do. They either drink it first thing when they wake up to get their day going, or they sip cups of joe throughout the day (maybe because they like it, maybe because they need a little energy boost). But to all the naysayers who say coffee isn’t good for you, tell them that research shows otherwise. In fact, coffee may benefit the liver and gall bladder, and it is full of antioxidants.

But what can make coffee unhealthy are the sugary additives that many of us also favor. Sugar can add calories and lead to a host of health conditions such as diabetes and liver disease. If you find plain coffee boring, then perhaps you might want to consider some flavor additions that aren’t sugar focused. What are those? This graphic offers some ideas to start to sip with your coffee.

 

8 Ways to Make Your Coffee Tastier Without Sugar
“8 Ways to Make Your Coffee Tastier Without Sugar” on Health Perch

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Ways to Tackle Water Scarcity

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How many people do you think are affected by lack of water? Unfortunately, it’s probably more than you realize. In fact, about 500 million people on the planet live someplace where the water they depend on for daily life is consumed at about twice the rate that they get it back via rain.

And it’s not just the lack of replenishment that’s affecting people. The quality of water is also something of grave concern to hundreds of millions of people, especially in developing countries.

Take this number: Over 800,000 people die, each and every year, from diarrhea that they contracted after drinking water that was unsanitary. Of all the children under age 5 who die each year, one out of four of them die because of an illness that they contracted due that was in water. And water costs lives, and it also costs people billions of dollars—in access, in lost business, in lost food.

Scientists forecast that the problem is only going to get worse, too. More and more people aren’t going to be able to access the water they need for daily work and daily living needs, and more and more people are going to suffer from economic impact due to that lack of water, especially vulnerable groups like refugees. What do you need to know about this important issue? This infographic explains it.

 

Please include attribution to www.waterlogic.com/en-us/ with this graphic.

How People All Over The World Are Resolving to Reduce Water Scarcity

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Environmental Impacts of MSW Incineration

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Incineration-based processes for municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment are a subject of intense environmental debate around the world. In the absence of effective controls, harmful pollutants from MSW incineration plants may be emitted into the air, land and water which may be detrimental to public health and the environment. Thus, it is essential to have strict controls to prevent negative impacts of waste-to-energy plants, especially incineration.

What is MSW Incineration?

Incineration is the controlled combustion of waste with the recovery of heat to produce steam that in turn produces power through steam turbines and any other CHP system. Incineration is the predominant technology for MSW-to-energy plants, which involves burning the trash at high temperatures. Similarly to how some facilities use coal or natural gas as fuel sources, power plants can also burn MSW as fuel to heat water, which creates steam, turns a turbine and produces electricity.

A modern air pollution control system is essential for all MSW incineration facilities.

The most common type of incineration plant is called a mass-burn facility and the most common incineration technology is moving grate system. These units burn the trash in one large chamber. The facility might sort the MSW before sending it to the combustion chamber to remove non-combustible materials and recyclables. Mass-burn systems use excess air to facilitate mixing, and ensure air gets to all the waste. Many of these units also burn the fuel on a sloped, moving grate to mix the waste even further. These steps are vital because solid waste is inconsistent, and its content varies.

Environmental Issues

The incineration process produces two types of ash. Bottom ash comes from the furnace and is mixed with slag, while fly ash comes from the stack and contains components that are more hazardous. In municipal waste incinerators, bottom ash is approximately 10% by volume and approximately 20 to 35% by weight of the solid waste input. Fly ash quantities are much lower, generally only a few percent of input.

Emissions from incinerators can include heavy metals, dioxins and furans, which may be present in the waste gases, water or ash. Plastic and metals are the major source of the calorific value of the waste. The combustion of plastics, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gives rise to these highly toxic pollutants.

Toxics are created at various stages of such thermal technologies, and not only at the end of the stack. These can be created during the process, in the stack pipes, as residues in ash, scrubber water and filters, and in fact even in air plumes which leave the stack. There are no safe ways of avoiding their production or destroying them, and at best they can be trapped at extreme cost in sophisticated filters or in the ash. The ultimate release is unavoidable, and if trapped in ash or filters, these become hazardous wastes themselves.

The pollutants which are created, even if trapped, reside in filters and ash, which need special landfills for disposal. In case of energy recovery, it requires heat exchangers which operate at temperatures which maximize dioxin production. If the gases are quenched, it goes against energy recovery.

Such projects disperse incinerator ash throughout the environment which may enter our food chain and cause havoc with human health as well as other ecosystems. These facts make it essential for every incineration-based waste-to-energy plant to have a modern air pollution control system which may trap all harmful pollutants from going into the atmosphere, which may help in public acceptability of waste-to-energy plants.

For more information, please email Salman Zafar on salman@cleantechloops.com or salman@ecomena.org

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Key Technologies for Medical Waste Treatment

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The growing quantum of medical wastes (also known as biomedical wastes or healthcare wastes) is posing significant public health and environmental challenges across the world. The situation is alarming in developing countries due to improper disposal methods, insufficient physical resources, and lack of research on medical waste management. The key technologies for medical waste treatment include steam sterilization, advanced steam sterilization, microwave treatment, dry heat sterilization, alkaline hydrolysis, biological treatment and plasma gasification.

Steam sterilization

Steam sterilization (or autoclaving) is the most common alternative treatment method. Steam sterilization is done in closed chambers where both heat and pressure are applied over a period of time to destroy all microorganisms that may be present in healthcare waste before landfill disposal. Among alternative systems, autoclaving has the lowest capital costs and can be used to process up to 90% of medical waste, and are easily scaled to meet the needs of any medical organization.

Advanced autoclaves

Advanced autoclaves or advanced steam treatment technologies combine steam treatment with vacuuming, internal mixing or fragmentation, internal shredding, drying, and compaction thus leading to as much as 90% volume reduction. Advanced steam systems have higher capital costs than standard autoclaves of the same size. However, rigorous waste segregation is important in steam sterilization in order to exclude hazardous materials and chemicals from the waste stream.

Schematic for disposal of medical wastes in sanitary landfills

Microwaves

Microwave treatment is a promising technology in which treatment occurs through the introduction of moist heat and steam generated by microwave energy. A typical microwave treatment system consists of a treatment chamber into which microwave energy is directed from a microwave generator. Microwave units generally have higher capital costs than autoclaves, and can be batch or semi-continuous.

Chemical processes

Chemical processes use disinfectants, such as lime or peracetic acid, to treat waste. Alkaline digestion is a unique type of chemical process that uses heated alkali to digest tissues, pathological waste, anatomical parts, or animal carcasses in heated stainless steel tanks. Biological processes, like composting and vermicomposting, can also be used to degrade organic matter in healthcare waste such as kitchen/food waste and placenta.

Plasma gasification

Plasma gasification is an emerging and promising solution for medical waste management. A plasma gasifier is an oxygen-starved reactor that is operated at the very high temperatures which results in the breakdown of wastes into hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water etc. The main product of a plasma gasification plant is energy-rich syngas which can be converted into heat, electricity and liquids fuels. Inorganic components in medical wastes, like metals and glass, get converted into a glassy aggregate.

For more information, please email Salman Zafar on salman@cleantechloops.com or salman@ecomena.org.

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