Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 07, July 26, 2024
Section 61-105.T - Infectious Waste Treatment(1) Infectious waste must be treated prior to disposal except as indicated in Section G. After approved and adequate treatment, treatment residue must be disposed of in accordance with state and federal solid waste requirements. Any unused treatment media must be characterized, handled, and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.(2) Treatment must be by one of the following treatment methods in accordance with this regulation and other applicable state and federal laws and regulations: (c) chemical disinfection;(d) embalming fluid containing at least two (2) percent formaldehyde; or(e) any other Department approved treatment method.(3) Approval for other forms of treatment must be obtained from the Department and meet standards set at that time by the Department.(4) The following infectious waste may be disposed of before treatment:(5) Storage of infectious waste prior to treatment must be in accordance with Section K of this regulation. (a) an approved liquid or semi-liquid waste other than microbiological cultures and stocks may be discharged directly into a Department approved wastewater treatment disposal system; and(b) recognizable human anatomical remains may be disposed of by interment or donated for medical research.(6) It is unlawful for any person to discharge infectious waste or treatment residue into the environment of this State except as permitted by the Department. If a release of infectious waste or treatment residue to the environment is known or suspected, the facility must report to the Department within twenty-four (24) hours and immediately investigate and confirm all suspected releases. Action may then be required by local, state, or federal officials so that the infectious waste or treatment residue discharge no longer presents an actual or potential hazard to human health or the environment.(7) Facilities that only treat liquid embalming waste with at least a two (2) percent formaldehyde solution and small quantity generators that treat, by an approved method onsite, infectious waste which they generate onsite are not required to be permitted as a treatment facility.(8) Treatment of infectious waste must be monitored by use of biological indicators or laboratory culture of the treatment residue to ensure that pathogens have been adequately treated. Frequency of this testing shall be determined by the Department on a case-by-case basis or as outlined in this regulation.(9) Products of conception must be incinerated, cremated, interred, or donated for medical research.