Since the start of the second Palestinian uprising (Al-Aqsa Intifada), and due to the Israeli activities, curfews, closures, and military checkpoints imposed since 2000, the quality of social services rendered by Nablus city has been gradually deteriorating. Solid waste management in Nablus city was badly affected by these conditions, and this situation is negatively affecting health and damaging the environment. Most of these cases were due to reasons beyond the capability of the municipality with its limited resources. This study revealed that some of the important municipal solid waste (MSW) equipment had been damaged during the uprising. The workforce in the MSW system was reduced and certain MSW-related development projects and activities have been frozen due to the current conditions. The city's medical waste incinerator had been phased out and the number of special medical containers had been reduced from 16 to 10. Some MSW compressing trucks had been out of use with no substitute. Another important figure is the number of waste collection workers which decreased from 420 to 301, although the city is growing in premises as well as population. The created unsanitary solid waste transfer station is now a pollution source on its own, causing an ugly scene at the eastern entrance of Nablus city. There should be a comprehensive and urgent solution for this problem and the needed resources should be invested.
The objectives of this study were the assessment of healthcare waste management and the characterization of healthcare waste material generated in the hospitals in Nablus city, Palestine, and furthermore, to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B among the cleaning personnel working in these hospitals. The medical waste generation rate in kg per bed per day was between 0.59 and 0.93 kg bed— 1 day—1. The waste generation rate in the healthcare facilities of Nablus city hospitals was similar to some other developing countries; however, the percentage of medical wastes in the total waste stream was comparatively high. The density of medical waste at the four hospitals studied ranged between 144.9 and 188.4 kg m— 3 with a mean value of 166.7 kg m—3. The waste segregation and handling practices were very poor. Other alternatives for waste treatment rather than incineration such as a locally made autoclave integrated with a shredder should be evaluated and implemented. The system of healthcare waste management in Nablus city is in need of immediate improvement and attention. Formulating rules and guidelines for medical waste and developing strategies for overcoming the obstacles related to waste management should be considered as an urgent matter.
Trace metal concentrations in spring—water of a number of springs around Nablus have been determined . Samples of these waters were taken during November and December of 1985 , acidefied with HNO 3 to pH 1.5 and then analysed for their content of lead , copper, zinc , nickel , iron , manganese , magnesium , calcium and hydrogen ions . The method of analysis used was flame atomic absorption spectroscopy with an acetylene —air flame . Hydrogen ion concentration was measured using pH—meter The results showed very low concentrations (well below the safe limits) of lead copper, zinc , nickel , iron and manganese . The pH of the samples studied was within the allowed range . High concentrations of magnesium were found in many samples ; but not high enough to cause a risk . The concentration of calcium in almost all the samples studied was very high and higher than the allowed limit . The use of these waters is harmful to industry and house—hold equipment and probably has an influence in developing kidney stones in persons having the potential for developing kidney stones .
The only effect of chlorination of water on trace metal concentrtions was an increase in zinc and in magnesium concentrations . Storage of samples (without acidification) in glass containers resulted in the adsorption of appreciable amounts of both calcium and magnesium . The other elements were not studied because of their very low concentrations (below the detection limit of the AAS method). The percentage of calcium lost on glass was higher than the percentage of magnesium lost on the same container.
Metal concentrations in drinking water used in Nablus have been studied . Samples from houses located in various districts of Nablus have been collected between Dec . 22,1985, and Jan . 19,1986 , acidified and then analysed for their metal content of the elements lead , copper , zinc , nickel , iron , manganese , calcium and magnesium using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy with an acetylene—air flame The results showed that the concentrations of lead , copper , nickel , iron and manganese were well below the safe limits . The concentrations of both zinc and magnesium were high but still below the maximum limit allowed in drinking water . The concentration of calcium was found always above the allowed limit . The effect of storing water in tanks ( this is very common in Nablus ) on the concentration of the above elements has been studied . The only effect found for storing water in tanks was a decrease in the concentration of zinc from water . No effect was found for using sun—heaters on the concentrations of the above elements in water .