##issue.issue##

##issue.vol## 9 ##issue.no## 2 (2020): SPECIAL ISSUE OF SCIENCE, 2020

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Bottom Ashes from Medical Waste Incinerators and their Associated Health Risks in Dar es Salaam

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i2.55
Julius Mbuna
University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam College of Education (DUCE)
Honest Anicetus
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Josephat Saria
Open University of Tanzania (OUT), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Samwel Manyele
University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering and Technology (CoET),

Corresponding Author(s) : Julius Mbuna

jmbuna@duce.ac.tz

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), ##issue.vol## 9 ##issue.no## 2 (2020): SPECIAL ISSUE OF SCIENCE, 2020

##article.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 generated by incinerators,
or consider non-incineration techniques of medical waste management.

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Assessment of Heavy Metals in Bottom Ashes from Medical Waste Incinerators and their Associated Health Risks in Dar es Salaam. (2020). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 9(2). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i2.55
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