Institutional Repository
Technical University of Crete
Technical University of Crete
EN
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| URI: | http://purl.tuc.gr/dl/dias/BB73DA91-B5D6-4DAE-88FD-7911D8C15FED | ||
| Year | 2024 | ||
| Type of Item | Diploma Work | ||
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| Bibliographic Citation | Evmorfia Panourgia, "Waste management of COVID-19 self-diagnostic tests: technical and institutional issues and investigation of trends in their disposal", Diploma Work, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 2024 https://doi.org/10.26233/heallink.tuc.98971 | ||
| Appears in Collections |
During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid medical diagnostic tests (called self-tests and rapid tests) were used massively to detect the virus and return to normality, posing new health and environmental challenges. The waste generated from these tests had to be properly handled, stored and managed due to their potentially infectious and hazardous characteristics. This thesis focuses on the disposal of self-test waste by investigating both the prevailing trends in Greece and the institutional issues related to this topic.In order to facilitate the assessment of the status of the waste generated, a structured questionnaire related to self-tests and rapid tests was designed. The aim was to investigate the social perception and level of awareness of citizens regarding the disposal and management of this waste and their level of knowledge. In total, 600 anonymous questionnaires were collected, and the response data were extensively analysed to identify possible correlations between the responses and key demographics.With regard to the institutional issues concerning the appropriate handling and disposal method of such waste, the relevant international and/or national literature, as well as existing legislation and/or guidelines at international, EU and national level were investigated in order to identify any gaps and deficiencies. In addition, proposals for the need to develop a modern institutional framework were examined. This framework would address the issues of the new waste category of self-tests, considering the timely and correct information of citizens and the assumption of a share of responsibility by manufacturers from the moment self-tests become waste until the end of their life cycle, with the ultimate aim of achieving a more sustainable and safer municipal waste management system that can support the disposal of such waste.
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