asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in Ireland which use incinerators to dispose of their waste; if he will make a statement on the safeguards at present in place concerning the proper operation of these incinerators; the type of waste incinerated; the recommended temperatures for such incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Incinerators.
150.
The information which the Deputy is seeking in relation to the hospitals which use incinerators to dispose of their waste is not available on a routine basis in my Department.
The operation of incinerators is generally in the control of the technical services departments of hospitals, who use the best available means to ensure that nuisance emissions are minimised.
The types of waste incinerated include ward waste, plactic materials and dirty paper, theatre and pathology waste and, maternity waste.
The current specification approved by my Department for new incinerators requires a minimum temperature of 1000ºC.