Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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A Study on the Spatial Distribution of Medical Waste Generation and Treatment in Korea

한국의 의료폐기물 발생 및 처리의 공간적 분포에 관한 연구

  • Oh, Se-Eun (Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University) ;
  • Lee, Jinheon (Department of Environmental Education, Kongju University) ;
  • Ahn, Hoki (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu) ;
  • Kim, Ki-Youn (Department of Industrial Health, Catholic University of Pusan) ;
  • Park, Seokhwan (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seowon University) ;
  • Ha, Kwonchul (Department of Health Science & Biochemistry, Changwon National University) ;
  • Ji, Kyunghee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yongin University) ;
  • Hwang, Sungho (Cancer Risk Appraisal & Prevention Branch, National Cancer Center) ;
  • Yoon, Oh-Sub (Hanbat National University) ;
  • Hong, Young-Seoub (Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center Dong-A University) ;
  • Lee, Eunil (Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Pangyi (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yongin University) ;
  • Lee, Kyoung-Mu (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
  • 오세은 (고려대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 이진헌 (공주대학교 환경교육학과) ;
  • 안호기 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 김기연 (부산가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 박석환 (서원대학교 환경공학과) ;
  • 하권철 (창원대학교 보건의과학과) ;
  • 지경희 (용인대학교 산업환경보건학과) ;
  • 황성호 (국립암센터 암예방사업과) ;
  • 윤오섭 (한밭대학교) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 이은일 (고려대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 김판기 (용인대학교 산업환경보건학과) ;
  • 이경무 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과)
  • Received : 2015.10.01
  • Accepted : 2015.12.09
  • Published : 2015.12.28
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Abstract

Objectives: In Korea, the system of management of medical waste largely relies on the incineration method. Our study aimed to identify any regional imbalances between the generation and treatment of medical waste, and provide reference data for future policy in Korea. Methods: We analyzed data on the amount of medical waste from 2,000 hospitals in 2012, 2013, and 2014 obtained from the Korea Environment Corporation. In the Arc GIS program (version 10.2.3), the addresses of hospitals and incinerators were transformed into map coordinates. The amount of waste generated by each hospital and the amount incinerated were represented by density and size of a triangle symbol, respectively. Results: As of 2014, the total amount of medical waste from the top 2,000 hospitals was 136,073 tons, out of which about half (49%) was generated in the capital area. Eleven incineration companies (three in the capital area, two in the Chungcheong Provinces area, one in the Jeolla Provinces area, and five in the Gyeongsang Provinces area) treated this waste. For the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, about 60% of the medical waste generated from the hospitals in the capital area was treated within the capital area and about 40% was transported to other areas, especially the Gyeongsang Provinces area, for treatment. On the other hand, about 90% of the medical waste incinerated in the capital area originated from the capital area. Conclusion: Our results suggest a spatial imbalance between the generation and treatment of medical waste in Korea and warrants multilateral policies, including the expansion of on-site treatment, strengthening regulation of the containment of medical wastes, promoting reductions in medical waste and more.

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