Stockholm Convention BAT/BEP Case Study:

Medical Waste Incineration in Barbados

by Thérèse N. Yarde

National Project Coordinator

Environmental Protection Department

Barbados

Barbados

Most easterly Caribbean island Area: 166 sq. miles, 431 sq. km Population: ~280,000 Tropical climate Main industry: tourism Main agricultural product: sugar cane No air quality control/emission standards

Convention Implementation (1)

Ratified June 2004 Barbados is part of a UNEP/GEF pilot project

for the development of NIPs in developing countries/countries in transition

Environmental Protection Department is the focal point for the Convention and the implementing agency for the NIP Project

Convention Implementation (2) Progress so far:

National Profile completed Inventories completed

Pesticides PCBs Dioxins and furans

Impact Appraisal completed: Identifies impacts of implementing the Convention nationally Assesses Convention requirements and

recommends/prioritizes necessary regulatory, legal, technical and administrative interventions to meet the requirements

NIP being prepared

Dioxins and Furans Inventory

Annual releases (2003): 49.0 g TEQ Emissions to air: 44.6 g TEQ 87% of total from waste incineration: 42.7 g

TEQ 73% of total from medical waste incineration:

35.8 g TEQ (2 incinerators) 70% of total from one medical waste

incinerator: 34.4 g TEQ

Medical Waste Incineration (1) Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Public 600 beds Furnace where waste is ignited and left to burn

without controls or APCS Class 1 incinerator No data about waste quantities, therefore activity

rate was calculated using a standard rate of 3.91 kg/bed/day

May also take waste from private and public clinics and doctors’ offices

New (Class 2) incinerator proposed by hospital administration; could reduce emissions by 92%

Medical Waste Incineration (2)

Bayview Hospital Private 24 beds Small box furnace Class 1 No data about quantities, therefore used standard

3.91 kg/bed/day

Meeting BAT/BEP requirements

Best available techniques and best environmental practices are not being applied currently.

What should/could be done to meet the convention requirements for BAT/BEP as part of the national implementation plan/national action plans?

Case Study Approach Using the accompanying evaluation form*, the

Convention and the BAT/BEP guidance, discuss what is necessary to meet obligations to promote/require and apply the use of best available techniques and best environmental practices for medical waste incineration in Barbados.

In what ways was the guidance helpful/not helpful in formulating the actions/interventions required and/or recommended?

____* the form is a guide/discussion tool; results of your discussion do not have to

follow the same format. However, do try to examine all the issues included on the form.

Evaluation Form (1) Obligations

Of regulatory agencies (EPD, other government agencies)

Of facility owners, operators, managers Others (Convention Secretariat, UNEP, etc.)?

Recommended Interventions What interventions (e.g. training for operators,

emissions monitoring, new equiment) are necessary at this stage?

What interventions are desirable/voluntary at this stage?

What are the priorities for these interventions? Just outline here, provide detail later.

Evaluation Form (2)

Involved Institutions May identify by name (UNEP, EPD, etc.) or by

role/function (hospital management, environmental regulators, etc.)

What skills, knowledge and abilities exist in these institutions?

What responsibilities does each one have? Actions required

Develop and provide details for the interventions identified earlier

Evaluation Form (3) Resources needed

Financial, technical, legal, administrative etc. What is needed by which institution(s)? Possible sources of resources?

Timelines for implementation For each recommended intervention Take into consideration the timelines included in

the Convention Challenges forecast

What difficulties may be experienced in implementing the recommended interventions?

Which institutions will face which difficulties?