Biomedical And Special Waste
- Health Sciences
- 500 level
- 1 credit unit
- 109 pages
- 15 units
This course provides an in-depth understanding of Biomedical and Special Waste. It explores the sources and types of hospital waste, including risk and non-risk waste. The course examines human health and environmental concerns related to waste disposal, covering traditional and modern disposal methods such as sanitary landfills, incineration, and composting. It also addresses waste minimization, recycling, resource recovery, and integrated waste management strategies, equipping students with the skills to manage biomedical waste effectively.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 48 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of EHS520, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
EHS520 · UNIT 2 TYPES OF HOSPITAL WASTE
However, this approach needs careful consideration because certain factors are necessary for waste to be actually termed infectious. It is important for waste to harbor pathogenic micro-organisms with virulence capabilities and in sufficient amount of dosage required for infection in a susceptible host. Such waste can be termed infectious.
What you should be able to do
- Define and classify biomedical waste.
- Identify the sources and types of hospital waste.
- Explain the health and environmental concerns associated with improper waste disposal.
- Compare and contrast traditional and modern waste disposal methods.
- Apply waste minimization and recycling strategies.
- Develop an integrated waste management plan.
- Conduct field sampling and monitoring of waste sites.
- Evaluate the economic effects of waste management.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Health Officer
- Waste Management Specialist
- Public Health Inspector
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Manager
- Healthcare
- Environmental Management
- Waste Disposal
- Public Health
- Government Regulations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Human Health and Environmental concerns
Understanding the complex interactions between human activities, waste generation, and environmental health requires integrating knowledge from various disciplines.
- Module 3: Emerging Technologies
Unit 1: Other Methods/Technologies
Requires understanding of complex chemical processes and engineering principles to evaluate the efficiency and environmental impact of different technologies.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 31 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Sources of Biomedical Special Waste · 1.5 hours
Define biomedical waste and differentiate it from hospital waste.. Identify various sources of biomedical waste, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.. Discuss the challenges in managing biomedical waste in developing countries..
Unit 2: Types of Hospital Waste · 1.5 hours
Classify hospital waste into risk and non-risk categories.. Describe the subdivisions of risk waste, including infectious, pathological, and pharmaceutical waste.. Understand the proper handling and disposal methods for different types of hospital waste..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Human Health and Environmental concerns · 2 hours
Discuss the spread of infections and diseases through improper medical waste disposal.. Explain the risks associated with needlestick injuries and the transmission of blood-borne pathogens.. Analyze the dangers of waste recycling and the spread of resistant pathogens..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Biomedical Special Waste Processes · 2 hours
Define waste and its various types, including municipal, hazardous, and biomedical waste.. Describe the waste management process, including collection, transport, and disposal.. Understand the concept of integrated waste management and its benefits..
- Week 4Module 2: Waste Disposal Methods
Unit 1: Traditional (Crude) Biomedical Special Waste Disposal Methods · 2 hours
Explain traditional methods of biomedical waste disposal, such as open dumping and crude burning.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.. Understand the environmental and health effects of traditional waste disposal practices..
- Week 5Module 2: Waste Disposal Methods
Unit 2: Sanitary Landfill · 2 hours
Define sanitary landfill and its basic requirements.. Describe the components of a landfill, including liners, cells, and leachate collection systems.. Understand the landfill operation process and the advantages and disadvantages of sanitary landfills..
- Week 6Module 2: Waste Disposal Methods
Unit 3: Incineration · 2 hours
Define incineration and describe the incineration process.. Outline various types of incinerators, including moving grate, fixed grate, and rotary kiln.. Discuss the desirable features of incinerators and the arguments for and against incineration..
- Week 7Module 2: Waste Disposal Methods
Unit 4: Composting · 2 hours
Define composting and list various techniques of composting.. Describe the composting process and state the advantages of composting.. Understand household-level composting and the use of underground unlined manure pits..
- Week 8Module 3: Emerging Technologies
Unit 1: Other Methods/Technologies · 2 hours
Outline other biomedical waste management technologies, including pyrolysis, pulverization, and biogas.. Describe each technology and state its advantages and disadvantages.. Recommend appropriate technology for a prevailing local situation..
- Week 9Module 3: Emerging Technologies
Unit 2: Waste Minimisation/Reduction · 2 hours
Define biomedical waste minimization and outline its processes.. Classify biomedical waste minimization techniques and state the importance of waste minimization.. Understand key concepts in municipal waste reduction and household waste minimization..
- Week 10Module 3: Emerging Technologies
Unit 3: Waste Recycling and Reuse (Waste to Wealth) · 2 hours
Define waste recycling and describe some biomedical waste recycling processes.. State the advantages and constraints to waste recycling.. Differentiate between waste recycling and reuse..
- Week 11Module 3: Emerging Technologies
Unit 4: Integrated Biomedical Waste Management · 2 hours
Define integrated biomedical waste management and outline its guiding principles.. Illustrate integrated biomedical waste management using a named waste type.. Enumerate the benefits of integrated biomedical waste management..
- Week 12Module 4: Waste Management Strategies
Unit 1: Field Sampling and Monitoring of Waste Sites · 2 hours
State the rationale for waste sampling and outline a sampling plan.. Develop a checklist for waste sampling.. Explain how to take waste samples and send them to an appropriate laboratory..
Unit 2: Effects of Biomedical Waste on the Environment and Health · 2 hours
Outline the effects of biomedical waste on the environment.. Describe the impact of biomedical waste on human health.. Enumerate solid waste-associated diseases and identify economic effects of biomedical waste accumulation..
- Week 13Module 4: Waste Management Strategies
Unit 3: Waste Transfer and Transport · 2 hours
Explain how wastes are being transferred and transported.. Discuss the factors to be considered when designing a waste transport system..
Unit 4: Resources Recovery · 2 hours
Discuss resource recovery and its importance in waste management..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key definitions, processes, and regulations.
- Develop diagrams illustrating the waste management hierarchy and the steps involved in recycling.
- Practice applying waste management strategies to real-world scenarios, such as hospital waste disposal or community recycling programs.
- Review case studies on successful integrated waste management systems and identify key factors for success.
- Focus on understanding the environmental and health impacts of different waste disposal methods and the regulations governing them.
- Create flashcards for key terms and concepts, such as leachate, incineration, composting, and resource recovery.
- Practice answering past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and types of questions asked.
Questions students ask about this course
What is EHS520 about?
This course provides an in-depth understanding of Biomedical and Special Waste. It explores the sources and types of hospital waste, including risk and non-risk waste. The course examines human health and environmental concerns related to waste disposal, covering traditional and modern disposal methods such as sanitary landfills, incineration, and composting. It also addresses waste minimization, recycling, resource recovery, and integrated waste management strategies, equipping students with the skills to manage biomedical waste effectively.
How many units does EHS520 have?
EHS520, Biomedical And Special Waste, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 109 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is EHS520?
EHS520 carries 1 credit unit, at 500 level in Health Sciences.
Is EHS520 hard?
EHS520 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does EHS520 take to study?
About 48 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is EHS520 assessed?
EHS520 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with EHS520?
Environmental Health Officer, Waste Management Specialist, Public Health Inspector, Environmental Consultant and Sustainability Manager.