Evaluation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus inactivation in a healthcare waste treatment by autoclaving Online publication date: Tue, 05-Nov-2024
by Amanda Borges Ribeiro de Oliveira; Valdir Schalch
International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (IJEWM), Vol. 35, No. 3, 2024
Abstract: Healthcare waste can lead to environmental impacts, even when treated and disposed in landfills, since it may show some hazard indicator. This study aims at optimising the autoclaving process in view of the lack of data on the optimal exposure time, temperature, and steam pressure for microbial inactivation, and analyse possible interferences of the fraction occupied by healthcare waste in the autoclave. Tests were performed at 116°C, 125°C, and 134°C, at six different exposure times, and at 121°C, at two. Geobacillus stearothermophilus endospores was inoculated in the samples, and recovery was performed by filtration. The inactivation fraction reached 100% in 30-minute exposure to the maximum temperature of 134°C and 2.3 kgf/cm2 absolute pressure. The occupation fraction was not a limiting factor for the inactivation, and the treatment showed inefficient at 121°C. Inactivation under such optimised conditions has proven to sterilise waste. Therefore, waste deposited causes no risk of contamination.
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