Study of Heavy Metals in the Bottom Ash that is Left Over from Burning Medical Waste at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the amounts of barium, silver, lead, and chromium in the ash from medical incinerators at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital and to provide an estimate of the heavy elements produced by these incinerators. At a concentration of 12.50 mg/kg, the results showed that silver was the lowest and barium the highest. Medical waste at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital is typically incinerated, which can be harmful to both humans and the environment. The study’s results show that the current methods of medical waste disposal at Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital in Diwaniyah Governorate are harmful to both humans and the environment.