Background: Waste of health care centers is particularly important due to their major role in spreading various diseases and environmental pollution. Consequently, considering function of non-hazardous waste devices in hospitals seems vital. This study is aimed to assess function of non-hazardous non-incineration devices of waste in Kerman educational hospitals and Sirjan hospitals
Materials &Methods: This experimental study had been conducted between March and September in year 2013 at the engineering research center of environmental health affiliated with Kerman university of medical sciences. Physical, chemical and biological function of devices was examined. Mechanical function had been examined by monitoring and recording mechanical index through thermometers and registers of devices. Chemical and biological function had been examined by indicator strip and biological indicator strip respectively.
Results: Among hospitals in which the survey had been carried out, 96.3%, 85.3% and, 84% of non- hazardous waste devices had efficient function from mechanical , biological and chemical viewpoints respectively.
Conclusion: As the results show, mentioned waste devices are unable to decontaminate hospital waste from hazardous materials chemically and biologically. Although mechanical process is efficient enough by providing required temperature and time , hospitals waste are not yet defined non-hazardous. Thus the final functional assessment is identified as poor outcome.
