Medical Waste in the Environment

Comment: Once upon a time, we all used the heavy rubber tubing, that is, back in the 1970s, and it worked quite well. Most of us abandoned it, not just because of the concern for infection but also because of the toxicity of the resterilization process and the waste gases and ethylene oxide emitted from that resterilization process. Although this study addresses some of the issues in recycling, it clearly does not address all of them, such as the cost of a local resterilizing program collection and delivery of the resterilized goods as well as pollution of the environment. It would be nice to see a more complete and balanced study conducted.