Evaluation of biological and physicochemical risk of hospital liquid waste in Morocco
Abstract
Hospitals could be the source of pollution that must be taken into account in a general approach to health and environmental risk assessment. This study is part of the characterization of hospital liquid waste in a region in Morocco, whose objective is to assess their physicochemical, bacteriological and toxicological quality.
The physicochemical analyzes carried out on 144 samples taken during one year showed a great fluctuation of some parameters such as: BOD5, COD, MES, PH, T°, as well as an important bacteriological load: Total coliforms, E coli, faecal Streptococci, pathogenic germs such as: Salmonella, Staphylococcus, 20% multi-resistant, virulent germs of emerging nature such as: Pseudomonas aeroginosa, and trace metal elements such as: mercury and copper that exceed the threshold of acceptability. At the end of this study, it turned out that hospital effluents are heavily loaded with pollutants. We therefore hope, in the light of the results provided by this study, to have generated a real awareness of the competent authorities on strengthening and improving the treatment of hospital liquid effluents such as developed countries, as the impact of these effluents on human and environmental health is harmful and can spread emerging diseases.
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Introduction
All human activity generates solid and liquid waste. The numerous studies carried out in recent years on the sectors and methods of disposal of solid waste have demonstrated the interest that health and administrative professionals in hospitals and the public authorities attach to this subject in particular, and to the protection of the environment and public health in general.
This awareness appeared concomitantly with new micro-organisms (viruses, multi-resistant bacteria and prions) and evolved with the progress of medical techniques and the application of aseptic rules associated with the extension the use of unique uses.
Hospital centers whose size corresponds to small or medium-sized agglomerations use for their activities and hygiene, large volumes of water which are then rejected, loaded with microorganisms, some of which are multi-resistant and often toxic chemicals and sometimes radioactive. This study shows that health care institutions must master the management and treatment of their liquid waste. [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10].
Conclusion
The results of the analyzes we have done during one year showed that the hospital effluents have a high rate of pollution both physicochemical, biological and toxicological; Indeed test results exceeded the thresholds set by national standards of direct and indirect discharges [14] , and could have a detrimental effect on the health of the population of the study area and its direct environment. Indeed , the concentration of BOD5 ( 259.55 mg / l ) classifies liquid discharges from two hospitals as standards ( quality Grid ) in the category of poor quality .The results of toxicology tests showed values above the threshold allowed by legislation and national and international standards, such as: Mercury: 0.9mg/l in the rejection of Traumatology and Emergency + 0.8mg / l in maternity, This is due to the misuse of mercury thermometers that are banned in France referring to Jehanin and the use of some mercury-based detergents; Copper: 500 times exceeds the normative limit indirect discharges These two heavy metals have a harmful effect on health and the environment: Mercury is a cumulative poison that causes neurological disorders, gingivitis and stomatitis, as well as kidney damage. In the environment, it turns into organomercury (CH3Hg +) that pass the placental barrier causing teratogenic and fetotoxic; Copper causes an alteration of fish gills, and a greening effect oysters, it becomes toxic when complexed with the organic matter. Other physico-chemical analyzes of wastewater two hospitals showed that the values of PH obtained belong to the favorable PH area development of most microorganisms. The pH value varies between 6.02 and 7, 43, and the temperature is below 30°C. This explains the indicators of fecal contamination obtained show an increasing trend throughout the study. Indeed, the maximum concentration of the medium during the CT seasons is 43.107UFC / 100ml and that E. coli is 19.106UFC / 100ml. Moreover, the most contaminated sites in the most pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella are, emergency trauma +, the main rejection and motherhood. These bacteria are highly virulent and have a high impact on the health of the population and the spread of epidemic diseases.