Medical Waste

• Medical waste includes surgical gloves, lancets, body organs, surgical instruments, bandages, needles and any other solid material soiled with human or animal cells, fluid or other tissue.
  
  

Disposal Techniques

• Hospitals incinerate 90 percent of all medical waste. Disinfection is another disposal technique that works on surgical equipment, linens and other medical equipment that is reusable. Disinfection techniques include thermal treatment, steam sterilization and chemical mechanical systems.
  
  

Incineration Regulations

• The EPA sets emission limits and minimum temperatures to be used for incinerators. The emissions limit depends on the size of the facility, type of incinerator and specific type of medical waste, while the minimum incinerator temperature depends upon the type of incinerator.
  
  

Disinfection Regulations

• The EPA administers the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Under the FIFRA, manufacturers who make antimicrobial claims must register the product through the EPA. The manufacturer must prove that the product will not cause adverse effects before the EPA will register it.