International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) |Volume IX, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2321-2705
Inaam Mahmoud NASRALLAH1,2, Pascale René SALAMEH3,4,5, Abbass Rida EL-OUTA6, Assem Khalil ELKAK2, Rihab Raif NASR7*, Wafa Toufic BAWAB3
1Doctoral School of Science and Technology (DSST), Lebanese University, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Hadath, Lebanon
2Laboratoire de Biotechnologie des Substances Naturelles et Produits de Santé (BSNPS), Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Hadath, Lebanon
3Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Rafic Hariri University Campus, Hadath, Lebanon
4INSPECT-LB, Beirut, Lebanon
5University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus, Lebanon
6Observe Group for Clinical Research, Beirut, Lebanon-Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
7Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
*Corresponding Author
Abstract: Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) is critical to human health outcomes and environmental protection. A survey-based observational study was conducted in scientific laboratories of a public and a private university in Lebanon, where a total of 309 participants were recruited to evaluate the knowledge regarding safety measures to be applied when collecting and storing waste. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, Independent Sample T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA were used for comparing differences and associations among socio-demographic variables. Linear regression models were used to map predictors of knowledge score and its relationships with demographic variables as well as training on proper HWM.
A significant association (p<0.05) was found between knowledge score and job function, years‘ experience, educational level, professional status, work schedule, and training on HWM. Participants had adequate perceptions regarding the impact of HWM on health and the environment. Linear regression modeling revealed that knowledge score was significantly higher among bachelor level lab workers compared to those with doctoral degrees (p=0.043), full-time workers versus part-timers (p=0.03), and among public university participants compared to those of private university (p<0.001). It highlights the importance to improve the culture, attitude, and practice of proper HWM in scientific laboratories.
Keywords: Hazardous waste, waste management, university, safety measures, knowledge score, scientific laboratory workers.
I. INTRODUCTION
University laboratories are specialized sites for learning and conducting research, in which a large amount of waste are generated. Based on their properties, these wastes can be classified as inert (non-hazardous) or hazardous.