[Microbiological studies of waste from medical practice and household refuse]

Microbiological investigations were made during a one year period on refuse from consulting rooms of general practitioners, E.N.T.-specialists, dermatologists, dentists, and veterinarians. Concentrations of total aerobic bacteria, hyphomycetes, yeasts, actinomycetes, indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, feacal streptococci, anaerobic sulfite reducing spore-forming bacteria), of some facultative pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus), and pathogens (Salmonella sp.) were estimated. The refuse from medical consulting rooms showed definitely differences in microbiological properties. Usually the highest counts of microorganisms were found in the refuse from veterinarian consulting rooms. In generally, refuse from medical consulting rooms had lower microbial counts as compared to the municipal refuse. Feacal indicators and facultative pathogenic bacteria, however, were found more frequently, and usually at higher concentrations in refuse from medical consulting rooms. Salmonella sp. was not found in the refuse samples under test. Conclusively, refuse from medical consulting rooms should be handled with caution. However, the results of this study do not indicate those kinds of refuse as a source of acute hygienic risk.