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HAZARDOUS/MEDICAL WASTE REGULATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND

Get an overview of the hazardous/medical waste regulations in Rhode Island, including segregation, storage, packaging, and disposal requirements. Learn about the identification of regulated medical waste and the upcoming legislation. Contact information included.

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HAZARDOUS/MEDICAL WASTE REGULATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND

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  1. HAZARDOUS/MEDICAL WASTE REGULATIONSIN RHODE ISLAND RIDEM/ OFFICE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT Mark M. Dennen, Principal Environmental Scientist

  2. REGULATORY OVERVIEW NON WASTES (products, samples, etc.)

  3. Segregation • Solid Waste mixed with Medical Waste becomes Medical Waste • Solid Waste mixed with Hazardous Waste becomes Hazardous Waste • Hazardous Waste mixed with Medical Waste becomes Hazardous Waste

  4. Pharmaceutical Waste

  5. Rhode Island Regulations • Based on Federal but more stringent and broad • Does not recognize small quantity generators • Regulates carcinogens/teratogens in Waste as hazardous • Mercury containing products regulated at levels below EPA standards

  6. SATELLITE ACCUMULATION • HWP can be stored in patient room if: • Must be secured in special container not accessible to patients • Containers must be appropriately labeled • Must be under control of key (nursing) staff • Must be managed within 3 days of being filled and brought to central storage area

  7. MEDICAL WASTE REGULATION • Updated in 2010 • Based on psychological as well as human health risk • Very little federal regulation

  8. Regulated Medical Waste • Regulated Medical Waste is a special Type of Solid Waste and includes: • Cultures and Stocks • Pathological Waste (incl. Anatomical Waste) • Human blood and body fluids • Sharps (used and unused) also tattooing and training • Animal waste from research on pathogens

  9. Items that are not RMW • Hazardous/Medical Waste mixture: Including Mercury or Haz Waste Pharm • Household Medical Waste • Packaging of instruments • Sharps in original packaging (2010 regs) • Clothing and instruments not saturated with blood or body fluids

  10. Other Items not RMW • Feeding syringes and tubing (as opposed to catheter tubing). • colostomy bags • Exam gloves not saturated with blood or body fluids • Empty IV bags (IV tubing is still medical waste) • Radioactive Waste

  11. Medical Waste Generator Requirements • Identification • Segregation • Packaging • Proper Storage • Documentation

  12. Identification of RMW • Generator’s responsibility to determine what wastes meet the definition • Must use Biohazard Symbol • Must determine if it is also Hazardous Waste

  13. Also Regulated by RIDEM • Transportations of RMW • Treatment and Disposal of RMW • All treatment, onsite or off-site must be specifically approved by Department • Treatment must include physical destruction (not encapsulation).

  14. Segregation is Required • Sharps (including retractable) • Fluids in bulk quantities • Other Regulated Medical Waste (commonly referred to as “red bag waste) • “Incinerate Only” waste (pathological/isolation)

  15. LACK OF SEGREGATION CAN BE COSTLY

  16. Packaging Requirements General • Rigid • Leak resistant • Lined • Hard plastic • Impervious to moisture • Strong enough to prevent tearing, etc. • Sealed to prevent leakage during transport

  17. Additional Packaging Requirements • Sharps • Placed directly in rigid, puncture resistant container w/out recapping or grinding • RIDEM encourages safe needles • Bulk Fluids • Packaged in break resistant, tightly lidded leak proof container • Other RMW • Tear resistant bag w/ biohazard symbol

  18. Household Pharm Waste Recommendations • Take the medicine out of its original container. • Crush tablets or pills, mix liquids with cat litter or used coffee grounds, etc. • Put the medicine into a disposable container • Conceal or remove any personal information • Do not flush unused medicine

  19. Household Sharps Disposal Recommendation • Use sharps container or puncture-proof plastic or metal container with lid taped shut. (no glass or coke cans) • Store the waste container safely away from children • Put the sealed container into dark trash bag and throw it out with the regular trash. • Never put any type of sharp container in the recycle bin.

  20. PENDING LEGISLATION • H7366- Mandates Residential Sharps Collection at Pharmacies and Hospitals. • S01089- Addresses collection of human waste for patients undergoing chemotherapy • Possible changes to federal haz waste rules for pharmaceuticals

  21. Contact Information and related links • Medical waste Regulations http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/waste/medwaste10.pdf • Practice Greenhealth Pharm Waste Guidance http://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/waste/waste-categories-types/pharmaceutical-waste • Contact Mark Dennen or Yan Li RIDEM/ Office of Waste Management Mark.dennen@dem.ri.gov or Yan.li@dem.ri.gov (401) 222-2797 ext. 7112 (MD) or 7529 (YL)

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