Optimization of biomedical waste disposal strategy by fussy topsis method

Abstract

Biomedical waste consists of hospital waste engendered during diagnosis, treatment or immunization of humans or animals like syringes, needles, infected organs, body fluids etc. or generated during any research activity like cultures, broken glasses etc. It is an important issue to be considered as biomedical waste cannot be disposed of like conventional waste and requires special attention for its disposal. The objective of this paper is to explore the best method to be used for disposal of biomedical waste with respect to its impact on environment. For this purpose, the 5 selected methods are assigned ranks using Fuzzy topsis method by taking opinion from decision makers and averaged for further analysis. On the basis of reviews 5 methods of disposal (incineration, autoclaving, microwave irradiation, chemical treatment and deep burial) are taken into considerations and 3 decision maker's opinion is taken on impact on environment (humans, air, soil, water, biodiversity). This survey was taken in Shirpur (Maharashtra). Fuzzy topsis method is a mathematical tool for optimization of results and selects the best method to be applied. In this paper the comparative studies show that incineration is the best method for disposal of biomedical waste followed by autoclaving, microwave irradiation, chemical treatment and deep burial.