Thermal systems which use heat to inactivate pathogenic
microorganisms are the most common alternative technologies
for the treatment of medical waste. These systems can be broadly divided into those using low temperatures,
i.e., between 95°C (for example the moist heat generated
through microwaving) and 250°C (dry heat), and those
that use high temperatures, i.e., approximately 500°C to
over 6000°C, as occurs during pyrolysis. The latter systems
combust and destroy the waste as part of the treatment
process. However, many of these thermal technologies have
extremely high initial investment costs, and may not be suitable
for the treatment of all components of the infectious
waste stream (see Table 1).