Source Emission Testing of Hospital and Classified Waste Incinerators, Plattsburgh AFB, New York

Abstract : Source emission testing for particulates and hydrogen chloride emissions was conducted on the USAF Hospital pathological incinerator at Plattsburgh AFB. This survey was requested to evaluate emissions with respect to proposed New York State Standard for medical care facility-waste incinerators. The 380 BMW/MSS classified waste incinerator was also tested because of concerns that similar emissions could be produced from this unit. Results indicate that the hospital incinerator did not meet the present air emission standards or proposed standards with the exception of hydrogen chloride (HCl) emissions. The classified waste incinerator met both standards with respect to visible emissions but did not meet the standards for particulate emissions. Although not required by present or proposed regulations, the classified waste incinerator was evaluated for HCl emissions; results indicate that this unit met the proposed HCl emissions standards for infectious waste incinerators. Since only one sample run of the three required by testing methods could be accomplished on the classified waste unit, results should only be used as an indicator of performance and not as definite evidence of either meeting or failing to meet regulations. Keywords: Emission testing, Combustion products, Air pollution, Pathological incinerator.