A criterion function approach to the evaluation of alternatives for treatment of infectious hospital waste

This investigation discusses various alternate technologies and treatment location options available for the treatment and disposal of infectious waste in terms of a multiple criteria analysis approach to establish the best treatment option and best treatment location. The principal treatment options include Incineration, Steam Sterilization, Chemical Treatment and the new technologies of Microwaving and irradiation by Cobalt-60. The treatment locations compared are Onsite and Offsite.;A framework has been developed to identify the best decision regarding infectious waste treatment technologies and treatment locations. Numerous criterion variables are considered. In this investigation two (Analytical Hierarchy Process and Criterion Function Approach) methods are employed to establish the best treatment technology and best treatment location.;After running the developed software five times to establish consistency over a range of criterion variable weights, Incineration and Steam Sterilization have been judged to be the best technologies for Offsite and Onsite treatment of infectious wastes respectively. The Offsite treatment location has been found to be the best site for treatment of infectious waste. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).