Survey of quantity and quality of hazardous wastes produced in Sistan and Baluchestan in 1386

Background: Rapid growth of technology and synthesis of thousands of new chemical
compounds along with rapid growth of population have lead to production of industrial and
hazardous wastes. Unfortunately in Iran, the industrial wastes are not managed suitably and
efficiently; also there is not exact data about the rate of hazardous waste production. So, this study
was performed to quantify and qualify the rate of hazardous waste production in Sistan and
Baluchestan province.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in active
industrial units in Sistan and Baluchestan province in 2007 to determine the quantity and the
quality of hazardous wastes. The required information was collected using a questionnaire and
inspecting and sampling from liquid and solid wastes of active industrial units in the region. The
concentration of heavy metals in hazardous wastes was measured by atomic absorption methods.
Also, the quantity of hospital wastes were determined based on the rate of produced wastes per
each active bed.
Results: The results of this study showed that the major part of hazardous wastes is in solid form
(3400 ton per year) and is produced by active industrial units (more than 80%) which have no
suitable place for collection and storage of wastes. Also, the total liquid waste production was 820
m3/year and the amount of daily hospital waste production was 5549 kg.
Conclusion: According to our findings, it is necessary to establish a suitable and efficient
management system to protect environment from hazardous waste products. Also, considering a
suitable site for final disposal of waste products is useful to prevent dispersion of waste materials.