Burning banned for Irish hospitals.In response to concerns over health effects linked to air pollutants such as dioxin dioxin Aromatic compound, any of a group of contaminants produced in making herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange), disinfectants, and other agents. Their basic chemical structure consists of two benzene rings connected by a pair of oxygen atoms; when substituents on the rings are and mercury emitted during the incineration incineration the act of burning to ashes. of hospital waste, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. joined in September 2003 to require nonburning technologies for treating the approximately 9,500 tons of medical waste the two neighbors produce annually. The Joint Waste Management Board of Ireland signed a 10-year contract to have 95% of the two countries' hospital waste sterilized ster·il·ize tr.v. ster·il·ized, ster·il·iz·ing, ster·il·iz·es 1. To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms. 2. using steam-based systems, which work as effectively as burning and can be more cost-effective. The remainder--which includes biohazardous matter--will be incinerated abroad. |
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