NOTE: Although some of the items stated above are solid objects, they would probably
contain liquid or dried liquid. It is for this reason that they are included as
infectious liquid waste.
(2) Responsibility. The AMEDD is responsible for efficient, safe, and
sanitary collection, storage, and disposal of infectious waste in the field in accordance
with established Federal, state, and local laws or policies and applicable standing
operating procedures. The AMEDD may handle this, train others to do it, or provide the
guidance for commanders to do it. A central collecting point may be established or
decentralized disposal may be used, depending on contingency plans or the situation.
(3)
Methods of disposal.
(a) Bury. Infectious waste may be buried if the time, conditions, or
situation does not warrant another method of disposal. However, a sign will be posted
as previously described.
(b) Incinerate. Controlled incineration is the best method for disposing
of medical waste; however, coordinate first for the specific type that will be burned.
1 Barrel incinerator. A barrel incinerator may be easily made to
burn small amounts of infectious waste. The top of the barrel is removed and a grate is
made by inserting scrap pipes into holes made at the lower sides of the bottom of the
barrel or by removing the bottom of the barrel. The barrel may by set on a trench or
supported on rocks, bricks, or cans filled with dirt to provide a upflow draft to keep the
fire supplied with oxygen.
2 Inclined plane incinerator. The inclined plane incinerator (see
Figure 3-15) is suitable for burning combustible and wet garbage. For good
combustion, a fire is needed at the grate. As gasoline moves down from the drum, it
flows into the lower pipe at the grate. The vapor burner heats the gasoline and causes
it to vaporize in the upper pipe of the grate. This vapor produces pressure in the lower
pipe and forces the fuel out through small holes as a spray, thus producing an
extremely hot fire. If the burner is operated properly, a blue, extremely hot, flame will
appear; otherwise, a yellow flame (which denotes incomplete burning) will show. A
yellow flame can be adjusted to a blue flame by lowering the rate of flow in the line with
the hand valve on the fuel container.
MD0161
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