• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.532-544
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• 2017

Objectives: Because the amount of medical waste (i.e., health-care waste) generated in Korea is rapidly increasing and social concern against its safety is widespread, a number of issues related with medical wastes are being discussed. The purpose of this study is to compare diverse medical waste management systems worldwide and propose future directions of a medical waste management system in Korea. Methods: Literature review was conducted mainly on the WHO, and developed countries such as the European Union (Germany, Belgium and UK), Japan and the United States. For these countries, the data with respect to their systems for medical waste management ranging from the definition of medical waste to the whole processes of collection, transportation and disposal were summarized and compared. Results: The terminology and classification of medical wastes were not consistent for WHO recommendation, EU, Japan, US and Korea. Comparison of the collection, storage, transportation and disposal of medical waste showed that Korea had rather stronger regulations for medical waste management compared to developed countries including Belgium (Flanders region), Germany, Japan and the US. Considering that developed countries adopt rather flexible disposal system especially for general medical wastes which pose lower possibility of infection, Korean government could consider diversifying disposal methods other than incineration. It may also be very important to try to reduce the amount of medical wastes and enough capacity for off-site incineration are secured. Conclusion: Our study of international comparisons suggests that it is necessary to continue to identify advantages and disadvantages of the current medical waste management systems and establish more effective one in Korea.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.13-27
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• 2017

국내 의료용 방사성폐기물 자체처분과 관련하여 심사과정에서 많은 보완을 거치게 되고, 이 과정을 통과함에 많은 어려움을 겪고 있다. 이에 따라 의료용 방사성폐기물의 자체처분시 기본적인 가이드라인을 제시함으로써 의료기관의 방사성 폐기물 처리효율을 높이고자 한다. 2015년부터 2016년까지 국내 15개 의료기관의 의료용 방사성폐기물 자체처분 절차서 및 계획서 작성 시 보완 요청된 사항들을 비교 검토하였으며, 이와 관련하여 원자력 안전법 관련 규정을 기준으로 방사성폐기물 자체처분 시 서류작성에 필요한 세부 작성안 들을 도출하였다. 한국원자력안전기술원의 대표적인 보완요청사항들로는 비가연성 폐기물의 처분방법, 자체처분 예정 폐기물의 저장방법, 폐기물 자체처분의 정당성 및 자체처분 전 조치사항, 배기필터의 기준방사능 및 보관기간 산출, 폐기물 수량 측정 용기 보유 여부 및 증빙자료, 감마카운터 사용 시 측정효율 증명자료 첨부임을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 의료 방사성 폐기물 자체처분 가이드라인 구축을 통해 방사성동위원소 핵종 및 발생유형별 분류기준 등을 명확히 제시하였다. 이를 통해, 자체처분 서류 작성에 따른 시간의 단축과 업무대행 지출비용이 발생되지 않음을 확인할 수 있었고 방사성 폐기물의 장기간 보관에 따른 보관시설의 저장효율이 좋아지고 경제적 비용도 절감됨을 알 수 있었다. 본 가이드라인을 바탕으로 방사성폐기물 자체처분의 실무적인 어려움을 겪고 있는 관계자들의 업무효율 향상에 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.194-204
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• 2020

This study investigated and analyzed the Korean and international status of radioactive waste management for medical linear accelerators (linacs) and proceed prior research to suggest radiation safety regulations and guidelines for the safe use of radiation. We analyzed the number of linacs installed in the radiation oncology departments of 103 institutions. In addition, we analyzed the procedures and standards for disposal in Korea and foreign countries. For foreign countries, we analyzed the status based on reports from the United States, Japan, Europe, and Canada. A total of 182 linacs are installed in Korea and 95% of them use more than 10 MV of energy. In Korea, standards for managing radioactive waste from a linac, disposal procedures, and clearance criteria have yet to be established. Therefore, radioactive waste is disposed of in different ways depending on the hospitals where they originate. Japan, the US, and Canada have recommended clearance levels and procedures for linacs. Other countries have provided management guidelines for research or large-scale accelerators, but not for medical purposes. In this study, we investigated the management of radioactive waste from medical linacs in Korea and abroad. Several foreign countries have suggested a clearance level and criteria for disposing of waste storage drums. For the safe management of medical linacs, it is necessary to establish safety management regulations. In Korea, standards for disposal, such as radiation or dose limits, are required for medical linacs. A system for clearance when disposing at a medical institution should be created.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2019

Since improper management practices of solid medical waste (SMW) could potentially result in serious health risks and environmental problems, it is very important to properly treat and dispose of the medical wastes. In this study, current practices of SMW management from storage to final disposal stage in 12 health care facilities (HCFs) of Burundi were investigated using the official government reports. The results showed that 75% and 92% of HCFs used uncovered wheelbarrows and trucks for on-site or off-site SMW transportation, respectively, indicating that most transportation equipment and waste workers are not safely protected. The results also showed that 92.8% of SMW (15,736.4 ton) from all 12 HCFs were inappropriately disposed of through uncontrolled land disposal and incineration. If pharmaceutical wastes and discarded medical plastics (29.5% of SMW) can be separated and treated properly, the treatment costs can be reduced and resource savings can be achieved. Raising awareness of healthcare workers and general public about potential health effects arising from improper SMW management, sufficient financial and human resources for the treatment facilities (especially incinerators), and effective regulations and guidelines for transportation and treatment of SWM are some of the major tasks for safe and sustainable medical waste management in Burundi.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.452-459
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• 2018

Objectives: We aimed to examine whether dental waste was being managed adequately at different types of dental institutions in City D in South Korea. Methods: The staff responsible for disinfection at 101 dental offices and clinics (six dentistry departments of general hospitals, 12 dental hospitals, and 83 dental clinics) was interviewed. Results: Solid suction pump waste was handled appropriately at four of the general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), six dental hospitals (50.0%), and 15 dental clinics (18.1%). Solid spittoon waste was handled appropriately at four general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), seven dental hospitals (58.3%), and 14 dental clinics (16.9%). Developer and fixer were handled appropriately by a subcontractor at two general hospital dentistry departments (100.0%), five dental hospitals (100.0%), and 24 dental clinics (75.0%). Impression materials were handled appropriately at four general hospital dentistry departments (66.7%), six dental hospitals (50.0%), and 11 dental clinics (13.3%). The plastic covers of intra-oral radiography films were handled appropriately at five general hospital dentistry departments (100.0%), eight dental hospitals (72.7%), and 22 dental clinics (30.1%). Conclusion: South Korea must implement detailed and specialized guidelines for the disposal of solid and general medical waste from dental institutions. Moreover, waste disposal training should be provided annually, and not only once every three years.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.29-36
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• 2014

방사선작업종사의 배경인자에 따른 의료 방사성폐기물관리 방법 및 안전관련 인식 그리고 자체 처분실시에 따른 어려움과 개선방안을 제안하고자 본 연구를 진행 하였다. 모집단은 부산 경남소재 병원에 근무하는 방사선사 102명을 대상으로 설문을 통해 진행하였다. 회수된 자료에 대한 분석은 SPSS/PC+Win 13 버전을 사용하였으며, 집단 간 차이 검증을 위해 일원분산분석을 시행하였다. 그 결과, 방사성폐기물관리 인식에 있어서는 대부분 올바른 인식을 가지고 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 효율적인 관리방안에 대한 개선점으로는 안전관리에 대한 인식 변화, 처리에 대한 인식 변화로 개선책을 제안 하였다. 올바른 의료방사선폐기물관리 방안은 주기적인 교육 강화를 통한 방사선종사자들의 올바른 인식변화로 분석되었다.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.297-303
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• 2019

국내 의료기관 핵 의학과에서는 환자에게 방사성 의약품을 주입하기 위해 체내검사의 80% 이상이 $^{99}Mo/^{99m}TcI$ Generator에서 방사선 핵종인 $^{99m}TcI$ 용출하여 사용한다. 사용이 종료된 Generator 중 외국으로 부터 수입한 국외용 Generator는 각 의료기관에서 자체 처분을 시행한다. 각 의료기관에서는 자체처분을 시행 할 때에는 방사성 폐기물이 자체처분 허용 농도 이하를 만족하여야 한다. 국내에 제시된 자체처분에 대한 지침은 방사선 감쇠 계산식으로 도출된 값으로 Generator 사용 후로부터 80일 이후 자체처분이 가능하다는 내용을 제시하였다. 이러한 지침이 직접 Generator를 가지고 측정한 데이터를 통해 비교 분석하여 타당성이 있는지에 대하여 연구하고자 한다. 결과적으로 1000 mCi 용량의 Generator 의 경우 Generator 구성 요소 중 반감기가 가장 길며, 방사능이 많은 $^{99}Mo$(몰리브덴) column을 가지고 실험하였을 때, 방사성 폐기물로 차체 처분 허용농도 이하가 되는 일수는 $^{99m}TcI$을 용출하여 유도한 기간은 72일, 직접 칼럼을 측정하여 도출한 처분 일은 71일이였다. 직접적으로 연구한 결과는 지침의 내용에서 제시한 자체처분 일수보다 8~9일 정도 보관 일수 차이가 있으나, 국내 차체 처분 보관 일수의 범위 안에 속하므로 국내 자체처분에 대한 지침이 타당성이 있음을 확인 하였다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

This study was conducted for the purpose of efficient radioactive waste disposal and management. Experiment was evaluated the decontamination efficiencies of the four types decontamination materials(Water, Alcohol, Decontamination Water, Decontamination Gel) with radioactive wastes generated during radio-pharmaceutical production process at Korea Institute Radiological and Medical Sciences(KIRAMS). The radioactive waste sample used in experiment is a lead plate of the fume hood that was disposed in April, 2019. In the experimental method, radioactive waste was measured before and after decontamination using a HPGe semiconductor detector and Gamma survey meter. The measured values before and after decontamination were evaluated for decontamination efficiency as a percentage. As a result, it was confirmed that a lot of specific activity and surface dose rate was removed from the radioactive wastes. In particular, when decontamination water was used, most of the radioactivity of radioactive wastes was removed. Considering these results, if decontamination water is used in decontamination of radioactive waste, decontamination efficiency equivalent to the disposition criteria can be expected with just one decontamination treatment. In addition, in the case of water and alcohol, only on decontamination was effective in approximately 75% and 95%. Otherwise, when decontamination gel was used, it was confirmed that the largest deviation occurred among all experimental results.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.3-6
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• 2013

Purpose: The treatment of thyroid cancer patients was continuously increased. According to the increment of thyroid cancer patients, the establishment of iodine therapy site was also increased in each hospital. This treatment involves the administration of radioactive iodine, which will be given in the form of a capsule. Therefore, protections and managements for radioactive source pollution and radiation exposure should be necessary for radiation safety. Among the many problems, the problem of disposing the radioactive wastes was occurred. In this study, The date for self-disposal for radioactive wastes, which were contaminated in clothes, bedclothes and trash, were calculated. Materials and Methods: The number of iodine therapy ward was 15 in Korea Institute of Radiological Medical and Sciences. Recently, 8 therapy wards were operated for iodine therapy patients and others were on standby for emergency treatment ward of any radiation accidents. Radioactive wastes, which were occurred in therapy ward, were clothes, bedclothes, bath cover for patients washing water and food and drink which was leftover by patients. Each sample was hold into the marinelli beaker (clothes, bedclothes, bath covers) and 90 ml beaker (food, drink, and washing water). The activities of collected samples were measured by HpGe MCA device (Multi Channel Analysis, CANBERRA, USA) Results: The storage period for the each kind of radioactive wastes was calculated by equation of storage periods based on the measurement outcomes. The average storage period was 60 days for the case of clothes, and the maximum storage period was 93 days for patient bottoms. The average storage period and the maximum storage period for the trash were 69 days and 97 days, respectively. The leftover foods and drinks had short storage period (the average storage period was 25 days and maximum storage period was 39 days), compared with other wastes. Conclusion: The proper storage period for disposing the radioactive waste (clothes, bedclothes and bath cover) was 100 days by the regulation on self-disposal of radioactive waste. In addition, the storage period for disposing the liquid radioactive waste was 120 days. The current regulation for radioactive waste self-disposing was not suitable for the circumstances of each radioactive therapy facility. Therefore, it was necessary to reduce the leftover food and drinks by adequate table setting for patients, and improve the process and regulation for disposing the short-half life radioactive wastes.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제12권9호
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• pp.255-263
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• 2014

선진국과 달리 한국에서는 낮은 처리비용 등을 이유로 원거리에 있는 폐기물 처리시설에 의료폐기물 처리를 위탁하는 것이 가능하다. 이 과정에서 위험성 때문에 의원입법으로 개정법률안이 국회에 제출되어 있다. 본 연구는 선진국과의 비교연구를 통하여 의료폐기물 관련 문제해결을 위한 효과적인 방안을 모색하는데 그 목적이 있다. 연구방법은 문헌고찰 및 법률의 비교연구를 통한 서술식 방법을 채택하였다. 외국에서는 감염성 폐기물에 대하여 발생지 인근에서 신속한 처리를 원칙으로 하면서 장거리 이동 가능성을 제한하고 다양한 기술사용을 권장하고 있는 것에서 한국과 차이를 보인다. 따라서 외국 사례와 비교하여 의료폐기물 최적의 처리방안으로 권역화 방안을 제시했다.