Archive for June 2017
Getting to Know the Common Medical Waste Agencies and Their Roles: CDC, EPA, DOT, OSHA
The alphabet soup of medical waste regulation: why generators need to be familiar with the common medical waste agencies – CDC, EPA, DOT, and OSHA. Whether it’s the federal or local level, there are multiple agencies that regulate medical waste disposal, and for generators, it may just look like a big bowl of alphabet soup.…
Read MoreMontana Medical Waste Requirements
A look at Montana medical waste requirements. Montana medical waste disposal regulations are managed by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and outlines definitions, storage methods, and approved treatment options for medical waste.
Read MoreIncineration vs. Autoclaving
All waste generated by health care activities must be properly treated prior to disposal. There are numerous methods to treat medical waste and render it less hazardous, each with its own set of advantages and liabilities. The proper disposal of medical waste is a multi-pronged issue that is regulated on both the state and federal…
Read MoreMissouri Medical Waste Requirements
A look at Missouri medical waste requirements. Missouri medical waste is managed by the Missouri Department of Health and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Infectious waste is regulated as a non-hazardous solid waste under the Missouri Solid Waste Management Law, whereas the Department of Natural Resources is responsible for regulating all other aspects of…
Read MoreMedical, Hazardous, & Pharmaceutical Waste
Not all wastes are created equal. Know the differences between medical, hazardous, and pharmaceutical wastes. The U.S. is responsible for producing a hopping 220 million tons of waste a year. Because of this, both the government and environmental associations have developed numerous methods of dealing with the problem through waste management. Waste management is a…
Read MoreMississippi Medical Waste Requirements
A look at Mississippi medical waste requirements. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) regulates the management of medical waste, which includes on-site storage and disposal. Many states have very detailed protocols for the disposal and storage of medical waste, however Mississippi has issued a medical waste fact sheet, which only covers the bare basics.…
Read MoreBiohazard Symbol – What Are the Origins of it?
Easily recognized, the biohazard symbol has a rather interesting history. Signs and symbols are designed to be glanced at, not studied. They need to convey the maximum amount of information using the minimum amount of content, which is why the biohazard symbol is important; health and safety depend on it. You may be familiar with…
Read MoreMinnesota Medical Waste Requirements
A look at Minnesota medical waste requirements. In the state of Minnesota medical waste is regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and many of the rules and regulations are similar, if not the same as many other states we’ve discussed. The reason for this is many states adopt regulations based on federal laws so…
Read MorePersonal Waste vs. Regulated Medical Waste: What’s the Difference?
Knowing the difference between personal waste and regulated medical waste. You may not think twice about what you throw in the trash at home, but personal solid waste is vastly different than regulated medical waste. The key difference? Regulated medical waste (RMW) is any waste that contains or has been exposed to blood or other…
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