Dirty Jobs Season 7 Episode 7
Dirty Jobs
Season 7

Ep 7. Medical Waste

  • TV-PG
  • January 24, 2012
  • 41 min
  •   (21)

Dirty Jobs is a popular television series that focuses on dirty and dangerous jobs that people might not typically think of. The show is hosted by Mike Rowe, who travels around the country to find the most unusual and challenging jobs. In season 7, episode 7, titled "Medical Waste," Rowe explores the world of medical waste disposal, which is a job that most people never think about but is vital to keeping communities safe and healthy.

The episode begins with Rowe visiting a medical waste disposal company in Florida. He meets the owner of the company, who explains that their job is to collect, transport, and properly dispose of medical waste from hospitals and other healthcare facilities. This includes everything from needles and surgical waste to biohazardous materials and pharmaceuticals.

Rowe is outfitted in appropriate safety gear, including a full-body suit, gloves, and a mask, before he joins the team on a typical collection: a large quantity of used syringes. Rowe is shocked at the sheer volume of medical waste produced by a single healthcare facility. He learns from the crew that the vast majority of this waste is incinerated, but some of it is recycled or processed through other means.

Next, Rowe visits a company that recycles medical waste. He learns that the company converts some of the waste into a material that can be used for making fuels and other products. Though the process still involves some incineration, Rowe is intrigued by the possibility of reusing waste that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.

The episode then transitions to a hospital, where Rowe meets a team of technicians responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and restocking patient rooms. Though the job may not seem as hazardous as medical waste disposal, the technicians explain that they must follow precise protocols to ensure that they do not accidentally spread disease or infection. They show Rowe the specialized cleaning tools and chemicals they use to ensure that everything is clean and sterile.

Finally, the episode concludes with Rowe meeting a team of animal control officers whose job is to remove and dispose of roadkill. Though this job may seem unrelated to medical waste disposal, the officers explain that they must follow many of the same protocols to contain and transport animal waste. Rowe observes as the officers use specialized equipment to remove a deer from the side of the road, and he marvels at their strength and efficiency.

Overall, the "Medical Waste" episode of Dirty Jobs provides a fascinating and eye-opening look at the world of medical waste disposal. Viewers learn about the sheer volume of waste produced by healthcare facilities, as well as the strict protocols and safety measures put in place to ensure that everyone stays safe and healthy. The episode is both informative and entertaining, showing viewers a side of the healthcare industry that they may never have thought about before.

Description
Watch Dirty Jobs - Medical Waste (s7 e7) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Dirty Jobs, Season 7 Episode 7, is available to watch and stream on Discovery Channel. You can also buy, rent Dirty Jobs on demand at Discovery+, Amazon Prime, Discovery, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    January 24, 2012
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    41 min
  • Language
    English