A source of many harmful substances in the health sector is the incineration of waste from this sector. During incineration of medical waste (such as chlorine containing PVC-plastics) thousands of new chemicals are created. Among these are large amounts of ozone layer harming nitrogen-oxides and the very stable PCB’s, furans and dioxins, including the very toxic 2,3,7,8-p-tetrachlorinedibenzodioxin (2,3,7,8,-TCDD).

The health sector is currently responsible for operating many thousands of waste incinerators worldwide, without any filters and emission controls, which are emitting harmful substances into the atmosphere. In the USA, during the 1990s, the health sector was responsible for 50% to 60% of dioxin emissions. In Colombia (South America) in 2002 the health sector operates 360 unfiltered ovens 1).

Photo: hospital waste incinerator, South America (stg. Huize Aarde)

A national survey in the Netherlands during the 1990s established that breastfed babies were getting 30 to 45 times more dioxins, furans and PCB’s then adults 2). During an average exposure of these hormone like substances, such as in the Netherlands and other industrialized countries, the hormone balance of the foetus and newly born is harmed. Indicated were an interference of the thyroid gland, delay in the development of the brain and the nervous system, and harmful effects of the fetus and neonatale immune system. In the Netherlands more than 80% of these dioxins and dioxin like substances were originating from incinerators. Therefore the research results are an indication of a world wide pressure on the intelectual development and on the imune system as a result of waste incineration.