According to the Centers for Disease Control, only about two percent of the total hospital waste stream must be burned. Yet, hospitals continue wholesale incineration of all waste. Recent emissions measurements stimulated health care practitioners to think about in-hospital use. In these cases, both use and disposal cause harm, not health. Changing from incineration to shredding with disinfection, or to autoclaving or to microwaving has encountered formidable barriers.
Resistance is tied to the fixed capital invested in incinerators.
Investors hardly want incinerators declared obsolete before they are paid off or turn a profit. Hauling and landfill charges are rising and burial space may be hard to find. Like other shifts in consciousness, health care without harm creates new markets and businesses for the innovative and caring, and leaves behind those who place financial return over the value of injuring our persons. For complete contact information, visit our contact page .