Abstract
One of the treatment methods of medical wastes that have a widespread application all over is the incineration process. Incineration of medical waste removes the harmful toxin and contaminated contents as well as decreases the volume however this process does not destroy the heavy metals completely. Most of the metal and heavy metal contaminations remain in the bottom ash or fly ash content. The presence of elevated concentrations of heavy metal in the ash of medical waste incineration will have more toxic effects on the environment compared with other ashes. In this study, bottom ash from medical waste incineration that are managed by ISTAC Co. Ltd. (ISTAC is one of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Enterprises for waste management) is used. The following elements were investigated from the leachate of the ash; Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb. As all of these elements exist, in order to decrease the contamination suitable additives for stabilization of are tested. Stabilization was performed by zeolite and for most of the elements good results achieved. When 17% of zeolite is mixed with ash, there will be good stabilization for lead, nickel, mangane and cupper. For chrome, cobalt and cadmium, 9% of mixture will be enough.