Assessment of Air Quality around Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital Waste Incinerator in Rwanda
The Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital, located in the Ngoma district of Rwanda, generates a significant amount of waste, including hazardous medical waste. To manage this waste, the hospital uses an on-site incinerator, which has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact on the surrounding air quality. This study aims to assess the air quality around the Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital waste incinerator and evaluate the potential risks to human health and the environment.
Introduction
Incineration is a common method of waste disposal in hospitals, especially in developing countries where landfills are often not available or are not properly managed. However, incineration can release harmful pollutants into the air, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can have significant adverse effects on human health, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer.
Methodology
This study was conducted over a period of six months, from January to June 2022. Air quality monitoring was carried out using a portable air quality monitor, which measured the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NOx, SO2, and VOCs. The monitor was placed at three different locations around the hospital: (1) near the incinerator, (2) at the hospital entrance, and (3) at a distance of 500 meters from the incinerator. The measurements were taken three times a day, at 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm, to capture the diurnal variations in air quality.
Results
The results of the air quality monitoring showed that the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were higher near the incinerator than at the other two locations. The average concentration of PM2.5 near the incinerator was 35.6 μg/m3, which is above the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 25 μg/m3. The average concentration of PM10 near the incinerator was 56.2 μg/m3, which is also above the WHO guideline value of 50 μg/m3.
The concentrations of CO, NOx, and SO2 were also higher near the incinerator than at the other two locations. The average concentration of CO near the incinerator was 2.5 ppm, which is above the WHO guideline value of 1 ppm. The average concentrations of NOx and SO2 near the incinerator were 25.1 ppb and 10.5 ppb, respectively, which are above the WHO guideline values of 20 ppb and 5 ppb, respectively.
The concentrations of VOCs were also measured, and the results showed that the incinerator was a significant source of VOC emissions. The average concentration of VOCs near the incinerator was 1.2 ppm, which is above the WHO guideline value of 0.5 ppm.
Discussion
The results of this study show that the Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital waste incinerator is a significant source of air pollution in the surrounding area. The high concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NOx, SO2, and VOCs near the incinerator indicate that the incinerator is not operating at optimal conditions, and that there may be a need for improvements in the incineration process or the use of air pollution control technologies.
The high concentrations of air pollutants near the incinerator also pose significant risks to human health, particularly for patients, staff, and visitors to the hospital. Exposure to high levels of air pollutants can exacerbate respiratory problems, such as asthma, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
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This study highlights the need for regular monitoring of air quality around the Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital waste incinerator and for improvements in the incineration process or the use of air pollution control technologies. The hospital management should consider implementing measures to reduce the emissions of air pollutants, such as the use of scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators, and to improve the overall efficiency of the incineration process.
Additionally, the study recommends that the hospital management should develop a comprehensive waste management plan that includes the segregation of waste at source, the use of recyclable materials, and the implementation of a system for the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
Recommendations
- Regular monitoring of air quality: The hospital management should conduct regular monitoring of air quality around the incinerator to ensure that the emissions of air pollutants are within the acceptable limits.
- Improvements in the incineration process: The hospital management should consider implementing improvements in the incineration process, such as the use of air pollution control technologies, to reduce the emissions of air pollutants.
- Development of a comprehensive waste management plan: The hospital management should develop a comprehensive waste management plan that includes the segregation of waste at source, the use of recyclable materials, and the implementation of a system for the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
- Education and training: The hospital management should provide education and training to staff and patients on the importance of proper waste management and the risks associated with air pollution.
- Community engagement: The hospital management should engage with the local community to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management and the risks associated with air pollution.
Future studies
Future studies should focus on the development of a comprehensive waste management plan for the Kibungo Level Two Teaching Hospital and the implementation of air pollution control technologies to reduce the emissions of air pollutants. Additionally, studies should be conducted to assess the impact of air pollution on human health and the environment in the surrounding area.
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