plasma arc technology

[Neil Tangri <ntangri@essential.org>]

Hello Friends,

I am currently in El Salvador and just spoke with an official of the
Ministry of Health who is considering different options for medical waste
treatment. He is off to Waste Expo '99 in Miami in a couple weeks and is
particularly interested in the US Navy's plasma arc technology ("Plasma
Waste Converter"). The Navy uses it to destroy chemical weaponry, but this
official wants it for medical waste, which is a burgeoning problem in El
Salvador.

Clearly, we have a better alternative (reduction, segregation, recycling,
sterilization) to offer, and can come up with any number of philosophical
arguments against the Plasma Waste Converter. But we need some data on
emissions, ash (?) and cost to convince the bureaucrats. If you have any
such information, or know who does, please let me know.

Much thanks,

Neil