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A survey of United States state transportation agencies was conducted in an effort to gather performance, storage, and economic information with the use of biodiesel blended fuel. It was observed that a high level of interest in this alternative fuel exists among state transportation agencies. Soy Methyl Ester is the dominant feedstock used as the biodiesel component. A 20% biodiesel composition was the most common blend level, with 78% of the responses reporting this level for tests or use. Blending procedures for biodiesel were not uniform or standardized. Cold weather behavior of biodiesel blended fuel was not found to be a widespread problem among state transportation agencies. The two most common deterrents to adoption were additional cost of the blended fuel and questions about cold weather behavior of the fuel.

Laws require that infectious waste be segregated from noninfectious waste. Companies certified to dispose of infectious waste offer both reusable and single-use containers. The focus of this study was to determine if there would be a microbiologic advantage to the use of one type of container over another in a burn hospital.Monthly swab cultures were taken from the tops of250 infectious waste containers during 2 years. Bacteria and fungi were identified. In a substudy swab cultures were taken from an area of reusable tops before and after cleaning to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning on both the number and type of microbes present. Infection rates for acute patients were compared before and after control measures were instituted to decrease microbial transfer from infectious waste containers to patients.Cultures taken from reusable boxes when received from the container company showed that99% were contaminated with bacteria or fungi; most were normal environmental or skin flora, but some cultures showed microorganisms that can be potentially harmful to patients with compromised immunity. Wiping the lids with a phenolic disinfectant decreased both the total microbial load (P.001) and the variety of microbes present (P.001). In contrast, only 10% of the incoming single-use boxes showed any contamination. Infection rates dropped from 5.8 to 3.2 per 100 burn patients (P.05) after the institution of cleaning and other changes made to decrease the possibility of microbial transfer from the infectious waste boxes to the patients.Upon delivery, significantly fewer single-use infectious waste boxes were contaminated than reusable ones (P.001). Extra infection control measures were needed when reusable infectious waste boxes were used in areas housing patients with compromised immunity. Facilities need be aware of the possible contamination of reusable infectious waste containers with microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infections in patients who are compromised.

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