We are in the period wherein health and environmental consciousness is being amplified by

threats to the natural and human resources. Addressing the issue of health care waste/medical

waste are of paramount concern. Medical waste coming from different health-care facilities

such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, dental practices, blood banks, and veterinary

hospitals/clinics, funeral homes as well as at medical research facilities and laboratories

generates the bulk of this waste. We all know that this kind of waste has an adverse effect in

the health of the community as a whole. Health-care waste may include possible injurious

microorganisms that can potentially infect health care facilties patients or clients, health

workers and the community as whole .Other likely infectious threats may include the spread of

drug-resistant microorganisms from heath care facilties to the environment. The by products of

this waste such as contaminated water can cause poisoning and pollution through waste water

and maybe release to its natural source and infect the people and other stakeholders in the

community.Suffice to say this medical waste can brought air, water and land pollution. This

waste we refer to, are those that can include a variety of materials, such as used needles and

syringes, soiled dressings, human and animal parts, diagnostic samples, blood, chemicals,

pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactive matearials.

Our country’s Department of Health (DOH) Manual defines medical waste as health care waste

which include all the waste that is generated or produced as a result any of the following

activities;Diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals , research

pertaining to the previous activites ,production of testing of biologicals;and waste originating

from minor or scattered source. Medical waste has different categories; the general waste ,
pathological waste, infectious waste, genotoxic,chemical waste, waste with high content of

heavy metals , and radioactive waste.

General waste are waste that does not feign any distinct biological, chemical, radioactive or

physical risk and hazards towards the environment and heath of people.Infectious waste: waste

that contains blood and other bodily fluids (e.g. from discarded diagnostic samples), laboratory

blood culture cultures and stocks of infectious agents from laboratory work such as those that

were use in autopsies and infected animals from laboratories, or waste from patients that were

technically isolated because of a communicable diseases (e.g. swabs, bandages and disposable

medical devices);However, the pathological waste that we refer to are those that came from

human tissues, organs or fluids, body parts and contaminated animal carcasses;it may also

include the sharps such as syringes, needles, disposable scalpels and blades, etc. There are also

waste that were generated by laboratory preparations such as disinfectant, solvents and heavy

metals contained in medical devices such as mercury in broken thermometers) and batteries

which toxicity is harmful to the water resources which we refer to as Chemical waste. The also

expired, vaccines and unused drugs is under the category of Pharmaceutical waste. Other type

of waste as define by the World Health Organization (WHO) are the following: Genotoxic

waste: highly hazardous, mutagenic, teratogenic1 or carcinogenic, such as cytotoxic drugs used

in cancer treatment and their metabolites;and radioactive waste while radioactive waste are

products contaminated by radionuclides including radioactive diagnostic material or radio

therapeutic materials.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2015, of the the total amount

of waste that came from the heath care sector 85 percent of which is genral and non hazardous

waste. While the remaining 15% of it are considerably hazardous materials which are

infectious, toxic and radioactive. They also mentioned that every year 16 billion of injections

were being administered worldwide and some this sharps and other pathological materials

were not being disposed o0f properly.

“High-income countries generate on average up to 0.5 kg of hazardous waste per bed per day;

while low-income countries generate on average 0.2 kg. However, health-care waste is often

not separated into hazardous or non-hazardous wastes in low-income countries making the real

quantity of hazardous waste much higher” according to the WHO study in 2015. In the

Philippines however, one of the developing nation in Asia injections materials such as needles

and syringes that are contaminated have been reduced considerably in recent years die to the

different laws implemented such as Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste

Control Act was passed and other environmental rand health care rules and promulgations

were in place. However according to World health Organization (WHO) Despite this progress in

the world , in 2010, unsafe injections were still responsible for as many as 33,800 new HIV

infections, 1.7 million hepatitis B infections and 315 000 hepatitis C infections. They also states

that , a person who experiences one needle stick injury from a needle used on an infected

source patient has risks of 30%, 1.8%, and 0.3% respectively of becoming infected with HBV,

HCV and HIV.

In the Philippines landfills scavenging has become an industry. A pun of “ May Pera sa Basura

was also created by this culture . That’s the reason waste disposal sites and during the manual

sorting of hazardous waste from health-care facilities were also considered a threat to the

health and well being of this people. These practices are common in our country.The waste

handlers are at immediate risk of needle-stick injuries and exposure to toxic or infectious

materials. We can observed our very own garbage collector in the City of Puerto Princesa, most

or if not all doesn’t wear personal protective equiptment which makes them at high risk.

In 2015, a joint WHO/UNICEF assessment found that just over half (58%) of sampled facilities

from 24 countries had adequate systems in place for the safe disposal of health care waste.

Not only that medical waste has health concern for the private and public sectors of the

community it also has an environmental hazards as well. The treatment and disposal of

healthcare waste may pose risks indirectly through the release of pathogens and toxic

pollutants into the environment.We all know that landfills can contaminate drinking-water if

they are not properly constructed. Occupational risks exist at disposal facilities that are not well

designed, run, or maintained.

There are different ways to treat and manage our medical waste .Incineration of waste has

been widely practised, but inadequate incineration or the incineration of unsuitable materials

results in the release of pollutants into the air andof ash residue. Incinerated materials

containing chlorine can generate dioxins and furans, which are human carcinogens and have

been associated with a range of adverse health effects. Incineration of heavy metals or

materials with high metal content (in particular lead, mercury and cadmium) can lead to the
spread of toxic metals in the environment. The Philippines however has banned incinerator for

medical waste with the implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749).

Environmentalist such as Michelle Allsopp, Pat Costner and Paul Johnston of Greenpeace

Research Laboratories,in University of Exeter, UK states that incinerators are known to emit

numerous toxic chemicals into the atmosphere and produce ashes and other residues. They

hailed our country, for taking a serious stand by passing the Clean Air Act of 1999, which

subsequently banned the incineration of municipal, medical and hazardous waste. Alternatives

to incineration are now available, such as autoclaving, microwaving, steam treatment

integrated with internal mixing, and chemical treatment.

A conscionable foundation that makes up a good medical waste management is the one that

consider health and occupational safety. It is noted that there are potential hazards and risk

associated in the handling of medical waste. Healthcare facilities enumerated above and others

should identify all this environmental, health hazards and risk and the ergonomic factors.

Healthcare facilties must identify identify such hazards and risk in the detailing of differents

activities in the management such as handling collecting,storing , transportation, treating and

disposal.

The management of medical waste requires increased attention and diligence to avoid the

substantial disease burden associated with poor practice, including exposure to infectious

agents and toxic substances. Waste management may fail if there is lack of awareness about

the health hazards related to medical waste, inadequate training in proper waste management,
absence of waste management and disposal systems, insufficient financial and human

resources and the low priority given to the topic are the most common problems connected

with medicalcare waste. Many countries either do not have appropriate regulations, or do not

enforce them.Key elements in improving medical waste management according to the WHO is

to build a comprehensive system, addressing responsibilities, resource allocation, handling and

disposal. This is a long-term process, sustained by gradual improvements;raising awareness of

the risks related to health-care waste, and of safe practices; and selecting safe and

environmentally-friendly management options, to protect people from hazards when

collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste. Government

commitment and support is needed for universal, long-term improvement, although immediate

action can be taken locally.

The component of an efective waste management practice consider the following factors such

as segregation, proper identification of the waste. Appropriate handling , treatment and

disposal of waste by type reduce cost and do much to protect public health. . Segregation

should take place in the the place where it was generated .

Segreation is the process of separating different types of waste at the point of generation and

keeping them isolated from each other. Hazardous waste should be properly labeled and color

code and in a especially marked containers that oincludes its weight.

All health care waste should be collected and stored in waste storage area until transported to

a designated off-site treatment facility. This area shall be marked with warning sign: “CAUTION

:BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA UNAUTHORIZED PERSON KEEP OUT.”

Storage areas for health care waste should be located within the establishment or research

facility. However, these areas should be located away from patient room, laboratories, hospital

function/ operation rooms or any public access areas. The waste in bags or containers should

be stored in a separate area, room or building of a size appropriate to the quantities of waste

produced and the frequency of collection. In cases where health care facility lacks the space,

daily collection and disposal should be enforced.

Requirements for storage facilities

The storage area should have an impermeable, hard-standing floor with good drainage;

it should be easy to clean and disinfect. There should be water supply for cleaning purposes.

The storage area should allow easy access for staff in charge of handling the waste. It should be

possible to lock the storage area to prevent access by unauthorized persons. Easy access for

waste collection vehicle is essential. There should be protection from sun, rain, strong winds,

floods, etc. . . The storage area should be in accessible to animals, insects and birds. There

should be good lighting and adequate ventilation.

The proper collection and transportation is an important component in health care waste

management. Its implementation requires the direct involvement of the of the health care

facility’s maintenance services, housekeeping services, motor pool service personnel and

cooperation of all the health care personnel.

 Health care waste collection practices should be designated to achieve an efficient

movement of waste from points of generation to storage or treatment while minimizing the risk

to personnel.

The health care waste generator is responsible for the safe packaging and adequate labeling of

waste to be transported off-site for treatment and disposal. Packing and labeling should

comply the national regulation governing the hazardous waste (RA 6969) and maintaining that

it presents no danger to the public during transport. Likewise , the waste generators are

ultimately responsible for ensuring that their waste are properly treated and disposed of in an

approved disposal facility.

All health care waste to be transported to an approved off-site waste treatment facility shall

transported only by a DENR- accredited transporter or carrier. The authorized

transporter/carrier shall maintain a completed consignment note of all health care waste taken

from the health care establishment for treatment or disposal. By the time the waste

transporter receives the waste, the transporter shall provide the waste generator’s waste

records.

The purpose of treating health care waste is to change the biological and chemical character of

the waste to minimize its potential to cause harm. There are a number of terms use to denote

the level of treatment, such as decontamination, sterilization, disinfection, render harmless and

kills. These terms do not provide any mechanism of measuring the degree of process

effectively. And such, it is critical that terms and criteria be established that quantitative define

the level of microbial destruction accomplished by any health care waste treatment process.
Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASS, Inc.) is a corporation duly registered at the

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2003. Organized by a group of mechanical

engineers, the company is engaged in the transportation, storage and disposal of infectious

wastes using autoclave treatment process. The founding of the company was a response to the

issue of the lack of a proper transport, storage and disposal facility for hazardous and infectious

wastes.

This issue was given more attention in The Ecological Solid Waste Management Seminar

organized by the local chapter of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) in

2004.

Though incorporated in 2003, full operations began only in 2005. Since then, it has become an

industry pioneer in the Visayas and Mindanao The plant and the autoclave equipment were

designed by the engineers themselves and were fabricated in Cebu. The company employs ten

personnel to handle the operations of the company.

The management of health care waste in the country is driven by concerns about adverse

health and environmental effects, uncertainty regarding regulations, and the negative

perceptions by waste handlers. Although significant progress has been made on health care

waste management, two (2) studies conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) namely, the

Waste Management Practices of DOH-Retained Hospitals in 1995 and the Waste Management

Practices of Private and Government Hospitals in Metro-Manila in 1997, indicated the need to

introduce modifications to the existing health care waste management practices. Some of the

most common problems identified are inadequate waste management, lack of awareness
about the health hazards, insufficient financial and human resources and poor control of waste

disposal.

In response, Environmental and Occupational Health Office (EOHO), DOH in consultation with

other stakeholders initiated the revision of the existing Hospital Waste Management Manual

(EHS-DOHG, 1997). The primary purpose of this revision is to assist facility administrators in

evaluating their operations in order to improve the health care waste management practices. It

also aims to promote the use of appropriate technologies and to communicate with health care

personnel as well as to the public the risks associated with health care waste.

As our country moves on into the implementation of projects to support its people’s health

requirement in terms of basic hospitals solid waste treatment services demand, our

government has initiated support to augment the shortage of this essential need so that we can

engage in a gainful pursuit of this necessity as what our leaders and planners have envisioned.

It is this context that Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASS, Inc.) encourages to

develop this project to support the demand of this basic service which has not been properly

addressed by both local and national government.

Today, PASSI took more environmental challenges as they venture into Septage Waste

Management with their new acquired Decanter equipment from Singapore. This is in response

to the pressing problem of septic waste disposal due to lack of treatment facility in Cebu and in

neighboring region. Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASSI) wants to take the lead

in addressing the issue in partnership with Local Government Units and other agencies.
Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASSI) is one of the most dynamic health care

facilities in Cebu today. With office located at Room 211 Geson Bldg. D Jakosalem St. Cebu City

and our Plant located in White Road, Inayawan, Pardo, Cebu City and another plant in Sta.

Lourdes, Puerto Princesa Palawan catering Palawan region. We conduct business not just in

Cebu but throughout the central and southern Philippines. PASSI is engaged in Health Care

Waste and Septage Treatment, Hazardous Waste Collection and Transporting, Environment

Management Systems, Pollution Control Systems & Solid / Liquid / Gaseous Management

Services, Material Recovery facility and Black Soil production.

Founded in November 2003 by a group of Mechanical Engineers, the evolution of Pollution

Abatement Systems Specialists Incorporated (PASSI), has made an inscription in the annals of

the health care waste management industry being the pioneer in using autoclave technology in

Cebu and the rest of the region. In terms of service, capacity and quality, PASSI is dedicated and

committed to deliver the best they could offer.

The incessant growth of PASSI now is a manifestation of a sound system. One that recognizes

the interdependence and synergy of all the departments. Above all, the competence and

acumen of its employees who are considered to be the most important resources.

Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASSI) shall provide its customers with efficient

and quality service including innovative technology and equipment needed in the health care

and waste water management, services that meet and exceed their stated, implied and

statutory requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.

To achieve this objective, the management of PASSI is committed to the effective

implementation, maintenance and constant improvement of quality Waste Management

System.

To provide complete Customer satisfaction, we will empower our personnel in all levels of the

organization to be responsive to our customers’ needs. All feedback and potential non-

conformities shall be resolved to the fullest satisfaction of the customers.

The management will likewise enjoin all personnel to pursue this endeavor to attain the

business objectives of the organization.

In PASSI, Efficient and Quality Service is our dedication to Total Customer Satisfaction.

There are many potential hazards associated with dealing or handling health care waste such as

physical and biological hazards as well as ergonomic factors. PASS, Inc. identify all these specific

environmental and occupational hazards during handling, storing, treating, and disposing harm

of the of health care waste. All personnel who are directly involved in the handling of

potentially hazardous health care waste were provided with adequate protection from the

hazards associated with it, they were provided with PPE’s. Protection against personal injury is

very important for all workers at risk.

Personnel should be fully aware of the need to exercise caution when handling health care

waste. They should undergo appropriate training. Such training was tailored to the different

needs at various levels or functions in the organization. The overall aim of the training is to
develop awareness on the health, safety and environmental issues relating to health care

waste, and how these can affect employees in their daily work. It should also highlight the roles

and responsibilities of the health care personnel in the overall management program.

PASSI personnel complied all the required trainings from DENR-EMB to make sure that they are

capable and competent to handle the job.

There are many potential hazards associated with dealing or handling health care waste such as

physical and biological hazards as well as ergonomic factors. PASS, Inc. identify all these specific

environmental and occupational hazards during handling, storing, treating, and disposing harm

of the of health care waste. All personnel who are directly involved in the handling of

potentially hazardous health care waste were provided with adequate protection from the

hazards associated with it, they were provided with PPE’s. Protection against personal injury is

very important for all workers at risk.

TRAININGS

Personnel should be fully aware of the need to exercise caution when handling health care

waste. They should undergo appropriate training. Such training was tailored to the different

needs at various levels or functions in the organization. The overall aim of the training is to

develop awareness on the health, safety and environmental issues relating to health care

waste, and how these can affect employees in their daily work. It should also highlight the roles

and responsibilities of the health care personnel in the overall management program.
PASSI personnel complied all the required trainings from DENR-EMB to make sure that they are

capable and competent to handle the job. The training course includes:

Information on the risks associated with the handling of health care waste;

Procedures for dealing with spillage and other accidents;

Correct use of protective clothing.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Health care waste management program requires that the following personnel protective

equipment be made available to all health care personnel who collect and handle health care

waste:

Hard hats with or without visor – depending on the nature of operation

Face masks – depending on the nature of operation

Eye protectors/Safety goggles – depending on the nature of operation

Overalls (coveralls) – obligatory

Industrial aprons – obligatory

Leg protectors and/or industrial shoes/boots – obligatory

Disposable gloves (medical staff) or heavy duty gloves (waste workers) – obligatory

Respirators (HEPA) filters – depending on the nature of operation

Industrial boots and heavy-duty gloves are particularly important for waste workers. The thick

soles of the boots offer protection in the storage area, as a precaution from spilled sharps, and

where floors are wet and slippery. If segregation is inadequate, needles or other sharp items

may have been place in plastic bags; such items may also pierce thin-walled or weak plastic

container. If it is likely that health care bags will come into contact with workers’ leg during

handling, leg protectors may also need to be worn.

Compliance to RA 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Control Act)

Pollution Abatement Systems Specialist, Inc. is the only authorized company to transport and

treat infectious healthcare wastes in Cebu complying with the RA 6969- Toxic Substances and

Hazardous Waste Control Act. Infectious health care wastes as per RA 6969 mandated law;

these wastes are not allowed to be disposed to a sanitary landfill unless these will be treated.

Republic Act (RA) 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

(DAO 2000-81), only non-burn technologies are allowed to be used in the destruction,

treatment and disposal of biomedical (healthcare) and hazardous wastes. Section 20 of RA8749

provides the regulatory “Ban on Incineration” of municipal, biomedical and hazardous wastes

The allowed non-burn technologies in the destruction of healthcare wastes must comply with

the criteria and emission standards on non-burn technologies provided in Rule 28 of DAO 2000-

81. Non-burn technologies include thermal treatment i.e., pyrolysis, autoclave, hydroclave,

microwave and sterilization

Presidential Decree (PD) 1586: The Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System

[1978]

RA 9003: The Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

RA 9275: The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

RA 4226: Hospital Licensure Act

Refuse Disposal of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines [Chapter XVIII, Implementing Rules

and Regulations, Presidential Decree 856]

— HEALTH CARE WASTE MANAGEMENT MANUAL

— JOINT DOH-DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASS, Inc.) is a company that gives services like

transporting of infectious waste. The medical waste is loaded to a refrigerated van to ensure

that the waste is properly transported. The personnel in charge undergo Transporters Training

to assure the awareness of every personnel and the kind of responsibility they have.

TRANSPORT FACILITY

Health care waste should be transported through the quickest or shortest possible route and

should be planned before the trip begins. After departure from the source, every effort should
be made to avoid further handling. If handling cannot be avoided, it should be pre-arranged

and take place in adequately designed and authorized premises. Handling requirement can be

specified in the contract established between the waste generator and the transporter. An

efficient and effective collection system route should consider the following:

• Collection schedule either by route or zone

The training course includes:

Information on the risks associated with the handling of health care waste;

Procedures for dealing with spillage and other accidents;

Correct use of protective clothing.

pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc. (PASS, Inc.) encourages in developing this project

to support the demand of this basic service which has not been properly addressed by both

local and national government.

The proposed hospital solid waste treatment plant shall be provided with an autoclave

technology so that it would be in compliance with Clean Air Act of 1999 which is emphasizing a

non-burnt technology. Selection of the fabricated Autoclave as its main equipment stems to a

convention the owners attended on Ecological Solid Waste Management in 2004.

AUTOCLAVE

A waste autoclave is a form of solid waste treatment that utilizes heat, steam and pressure of

an industrial autoclave in the processing of waste. Waste autoclaves process waste either in
batches or in continuous-flow processes. In batch processes, saturated steam is pumped into

the autoclave at temperatures around 160°C. The pressure in the vessel is maintained at 5 bar

gauge for a period of up to 45 minutes to allow the process to fully ‘cook’ the waste. The

autoclave process gives a very high pathogen and virus kill rate.

Waste Autoclave

Autoclave – Autoclave uses steam sterilization to render waste harmless and is an efficient wet

thermal disinfection process. This technique has been used for many years in hospitals for the

sterilization of reusable medical equipment.

Autoclaves come in a wide range of sizes. A typical autoclave designed for medical waste treat

about 100 kg per cycle (a cycle being about 1 hour) to several hundred kilograms per cycle for

larger hospitals. Autoclaves used in centralized treatment facilities can handle as much as 3,000

kg in one cycle.

The microbial inactivation efficacy of autoclaves should be checked periodically. For autoclaves

that do not shred waste during steam disinfection, color-changing indicator strips may be

attached to the outside of the yellow bag in the middle of each load and that the strip be

checked to ensure that steam penetration has occurred. In addition, a microbiological test

(using for example commercially available validation kits containing bacillus stearothermophilus

spore strips, vials or packs) should be conducted periodically.

The types of waste commonly treated in autoclaves are: cultures and stocks, sharps, materials

contaminated with blood and limited amounts of fluids, isolation and surgery wastes, laborator
wastes (excluding chemical waste), and soft wastes (gauze, bandages, drapes, gowns, bedding,

etc.) from patient care. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, bulk chemotherapeutic

wastes, mercury, other hazardous chemical wastes, and radiological wastes should not be

treated in an autoclave or retort. Huge and bulky bedding material, large animal carcasses,

sealed heat-resistant container, and other waste loads that impede the transfer of heat should

be avoided. Poorly segregated wastes (i.e. wastes with mercury, heavy metals, some drugs)

may allow the release of toxics into the air and may cause bad odors. Hence, autoclaves should

be coupled with a good segregation regime. The waste is not diminished in appearance and

may even increase in volume and mass (due to water retention) after autoclaving. Hence, a

significant amount of waste still has to be disposed of.

Capacities of autoclaves vary widely depending on the intended use. The sizes may start from

small autoclaves having a capacity of 18 lbs/hr to large systems capable of more than 6,000 lb

per cycle. Autoclaves can even be custom designed. Depending on the size of the autoclaves

and the engineering units that are installed before and after the process unit, the costs may fall

from a few hundred thousand to over PhP15 million with complete systems. Most of these

systems require steam at 55-60 psig.

SEPTAGE TREATMENT FACILITY

Septage Treatment facility is a new undertaking of Pollution Abatement Systems Specialists, Inc.

(PASS, Inc.). This project aim to help and support the local government and the State in

protecting and promoting the right of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

have a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. This is
also in compliance with RA 9275 otherwise known as Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004; the

code of Sanitation of the Philippines (PD 856), chapter XVII; Water District Law (PD 198).

Our Treatment facility has adopted a modern technology to dewater the septage. Waste from

septic tank will be processed thru the Decanter equipment. During the process the liquids will

be separated from the solids. The Solids will be collected and put into a drying beds for at least

three (3) months . Two (2) of the months must have a daily average temperature above

freezing. After passing the required PH level, the soil will be used as organic fertilizer and soil

conditioner. The waste water will be treated and disposed to wetland or used for vegetation

irrigation acceptable to World Health Organization (WHO) which is 1 nematode egg/liter of

treated wastewater.

Septage is a thickened and partially treated sewage that is removed from a septic tank. Our

operation will cover Metro Cebu and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao region to promote and

protect the health and welfare of its constituents by giving them sustainable access to

improved water and sanitation services.

THE DECANTER AND ITS COMPONENTS

3-phase Decanters are used to clarify and simultaneous separate liquids of different densities.

The bowl’s high speed of rotation in this centrifugal decanter causes the solids to deposit on the

bowl wall from where the built-in screw conveyor continuously transports them to the outlet

from where they are discharged. The separated liquid phases that are then almost completely

free of solids leave the separation chamber through separate openings at the other end of the

bowl.
Disposal of Treated Sludge and Septage

Treated sludge and septage shall be disposed by landfilling (as per RA 9003), spread on land,or

using other new technology options that may be accepted by DOH. The sludge may beapplied

to agricultural land, forestland, lahar areas, coconut, bamboo and rubber plantations,etc. as

organic fertilizer and/or soil conditioner to facilitate nutrient transport and increase

waterretention. If applied to land where food crops will be grown, special precautions must be

taken to prevent contamination. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pathogens,

essential trace elements and heavy metals shall be within the allowable/acceptable limits set by

the DA Bureau of Soils and Water Management. In cases where the operator intends to sell its

treated sludge, product registration shall be secured from DA.