Air Pollutant Emissions from the
Incineration of Hospital Wastes
The Alberta Experience

Abstract

Since the early seventies, hospital waste incineration has been an ever increasing issue in Alberta because of the emissions of particles, hydrochloric acid and chlorine which result from burning plastic-rich hospital waste. These stack emissions were measured from various hospital incinerators in the Province of Alberta and most were found to be above the standards adopted by the Alberta Department of Environment. Compliance with particulate and HC1 emission standards are mandatory in order to receive final approval for a hospital incinerator in Alberta. Adequate control measures are available to meet Alberta Environment requirements for hospital incinerator emissions.