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More stringent regulation of medical waste incinerators are also
a factor in materials management practices.
EPA regulations, released August 15, 1997, will drive the health
care industry to change materials management practices. The
regulations set operating standards for medical waste
incinerators, including more stringent emission standards for
dioxin and mercury.
The EPA anticipates that the costs of
meeting these new standards will lead some health care facilities
to switch to alternative waste disposal methods. The regulations
also require all hospitals with incinerators to develop
facility-specific waste management plans. The plans must
identify approaches for decreasing toxic emissions and consider
the feasibility of these approaches. States are also mandated to
develop medical waste management plans that meet or exceed EPA
guidelines.
If you are interested in reviewing these regulations, refer to:
U.S. EPA
"Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources; Hospital/Medica/Infectious Waste Incinerators; Final Rule"
40 CFR Part 60
September 15, 1997
(Volume 62, Number 178)
pages 48347-48391.
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