[Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators

gressitt at uninets.net gressitt at uninets.net
Thu Feb 1 12:46:24 EST 2007


Bill thanks for helping me get this more 'serious." If I am not
consolidating and this is just household, therefore exempt, why am I in
trouble? This is an interessting question because in the past the
discussion has been focused on what the single homeowner czn do (
seemingly unlimited) to what a consolidator could do ( there the EPA, DEA
controls kick in with the state regs as well.)
In this instance however, the situation is more akin to  the 19th century
tinkerrer. One family at a time household service to household, one after
another. With no consolidation where would the problerm kick in.
And a second problem is that If as you say I can't dfo it then how come
the municipal ( not a federal or state agency) police do it? I wass
unaware that municipal police were exempt from EPA or state regulatory 
rules.

Stevan Gressitt, M.D.

>
> In such a case as the law stands - you'd be in violation of several
> federal
> statutes - from RCRA to possibly the clean air act, and probably a few DEA
> regs as well - the manufacturer - hey - didn't do it - just sold you the
> machine - you're the one that broke the law - you're the one that pays the
> consequences.
>
> Interesting when "corporate rights" exceed those of the individual -
> rights
> that this country was founded upon.
>
> Sidebar Comment:
>
> Actually - as a point of interest - I'm waiting for the one challenge to
> corporate structure that will "blow the entire socio political system
> apart" - it will likely either fundamentally change the way things are
> done
> in the USA or create such apathy with the American Citizen that the slope
> towards ..........may commence.
>
> Ask yourself simply - what would happen if the Supreme Court
> (simplistically) had to adjudicate a case where a citizen raised action
> against the chemical manufacturers association alleging that it's members
> -
> by not properly testing and performing full life cycle analysis of their
> products, were effectively removing said citizens rights to "Life-Liberty
> and the pursuit of Happiness". For example a person with MCS, or one who's
> property was impacted by changing weather patterns through global warming
> might make this claim in a class action? Theoretically one could impeach
> presidents on this (never happen though)
> (MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)
>
>
>
>              gressitt at uninets.
>              net
>                                                                         To
>              02/01/2007 10:46          "Bill Lewry" <Bill_Lewry at kcmo.org>
>              AM                                                         cc
>                                        "gressitt" <gressitt at uninets.net>,
>                                        pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>                                                                    Subject
>                                        RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding
>                                        incinerators
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> And they would not fall under state reguilatory guidance? What If say I
> offered to get one of those contraptions and drove around the neiborhood
> burning up only single family hazardous chemicals? no consolidation of any
> kind. What then? Stevan Gressitt, M.D.
>
>>
>> Stevan: The interesting question you raise - "how can they sell these
>> things"
>>
>> Simple answer - the supreme court.
>>
>> In the 1800's there was a justice who did EVERYTHING pro industry &
>> private
>> property (see - history of the supreme court - PBS.) with the result
>> that
>> we still live with many of these issues today. It is vital to remember
>> there is effectively NO GOVERNMENTAL CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE UNITED
>> STATES. (If there were - chem manufacturers and perfumers would be held
> to
>> prove their materials safe BEFORE the lawsuits for damages and destroyed
>> lives).
>>
>> One of those issues is that it's legal to manufacture and sell almost
>> anything not specifically proscribed until one of 3 things happen.
>>
>>    You can't sell enough, or generate enough money from sales, so you go
>>    broke.
>>    Government specifically enacts a law preventing you.
>>    You get sued so often for a faulty product - you go live in the
> Bahamas
>>    from your ill gotten gains.
>>
>> So -  they can design, manufacture and sell - but it's up to you to
> figure
>> out if it's legal to use.......................
>>
>>
>>
>>              "gressitt"
>>              <gressitt at uninets
>>              .net>
> To
>>                                        "'Volkman, Jennifer'"
>>              01/31/2007 06:35          <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us>,
>>              PM                        "'Bill Lewry'"
>>                                        <Bill_Lewry at kcmo.org>
>>
> cc
>>                                        <pickrel.jan at epamail.epa.gov>,
>>                                        "'Vizzier, Michael'"
>>                                        <michael.vizzier at sdcounty.ca.gov>,
>>                                        <kcrecycling at earthlink.net>,
>>                                        "'Matthew Mireles'"
>>                                        <mirelesmc at earthlink.net>
>>
> Subject
>>                                        RE: [Pharmwaste] Question
> regarding
>>                                        incinerators
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Wait a minute. That is my business plan. I'm going to get a bright shiny
>> new
>> F-150 pick up truck, put that Terminator in the back and go from police
>> station to police station ( and anywhere else that will pay the lighter
>> fee
>> like say summer fairs?) and take care of the problem. Course if you're
>> downwind and get a little too much pentobarbital.... I'm wondering how
>> does
>> Prozac flavored barbecue sound?
>>
>> And that is one of the questions I have. Why can they sell these things?
>> Aren't there environmental regulations you folks would bring up? Sounds
>> like
>> they are selling pretty much all over the country and rather under the
>> radar
>> too. Journalist out there?
>> Stevan
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Volkman, Jennifer [mailto:Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us]
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 4:39 PM
>> To: gressitt at uninets.net; Bill Lewry
>> Cc: Volkman, Jennifer; pickrel.jan at epamail.epa.gov; Vizzier, Michael;
>> kcrecycling at earthlink.net; Matthew Mireles
>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>
>> I'm going to open a dealership instead.  Bill, I'm telling your
>> contractor that you can't do what you're doing.  How many do you want?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gressitt at uninets.net [mailto:gressitt at uninets.net]
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 1:07 PM
>> To: Bill Lewry
>> Cc: Volkman, Jennifer; pickrel.jan at epamail.epa.gov; Vizzier, Michael;
>> kcrecycling at earthlink.net; Matthew Mireles
>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>
>>
>> But I'll bet neither of you own stock in www.drugterminator.com   Nor
>> have
>> your departments "authorized" a perfect gas dispersal device that gives
>> some security types the willies... Grin.  Stevan
>>
>>>
>>> This is how we perform a witnessed destruction of narcotics in KC.
>>>
>>> WE 1/2 fill a 55 gallon drum with an A fuel blend then follow what Jen
>>
>>> has stated below.
>>>
>>> Drum then goes out for incineration, in the case of non-controlled - A
>>
>>> fuel.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>              "Volkman,
>>>              Jennifer"
>>>              <Jennifer.Volkman
>> To
>>>              @state.mn.us>             <kcrecycling at earthlink.net>,
>>>              Sent by:                  "Jennifer Volkman"
>>>              pharmwaste-bounce         <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us>,
>>>              s at lists.dep.state         <Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov>,
>>>              .fl.us                    "Matthew Mireles"
>>>                                        <mirelesmc at earthlink.net>
>>>
>> cc
>>>              01/30/2007 01:48          "Vizzier, Michael"
>>>              PM
>> <Michael.Vizzier at sdcounty.ca.gov>,
>>>
>> pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>
>> Subject
>>>                                        RE: [Pharmwaste] Question
>> regarding
>>>                                        incinerators
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't think legalities related to controlled substances are an issue
>>
>>> when the drugs are considered "destroyed" or non-usable for their
>>> intended purpose.  We could get a read from DEA on that.  Some other
>>> issues that I can think of are:
>>>
>>> 1)HH have to follow directions: combine, mash, mix with vinegar, peel
>>> labels;
>>>
>>> 2)I posed the idea as mixing all meds together, and adding vinegar (or
>>
>>> whatever anyone else thinks would work--it's cheap and nasty).  In
>>> that scenario HH would not necessarily bring in waste in original
>>> containers, which we harp on for all other waste streams, so there is
>>> an inconsistency there (but it is also an opportunity to re-emphasize
>>> that for all other waste streams).  Or we could ask them to add
>>> vinegar, etc. to each bottle and not mix them together.  This wouldn't
>>
>>> be much of a problem if you had a couple of bottles, but would get
>>> very tedious for a larger cleanout;
>>>
>>> 3)Some drugs, like chemo, might need to be kept separate for waste
>>> categorization and management reasons, but I think most all can go as
>>> lab pack poisons for incineration--someone help me out on this one, I
>>> don't pack waste.  If we can go with one labpack category, this could
>>> be very simple.  I also don't know of any incompatibility issues.
>>> Since it is all consummable there shouldn't be any.
>>>
>>> 4) Collection of data on waste meds would be dependent on whether HH
>>> will provide info separately since tablets will be destroyed, liquid
>>> quantities would be greater and many meds might be mixed together.
>>> Labels on my Rx bottles come off real easily, so I think sticking them
>>
>>> on a piece of paper with an estimated count/quantity is simple, but
>>> others won't want to bother.
>>>
>>> If we can clarify #3, we should be good to go.  #1 is only of mild
>>> interest because there will be no way to tell if the nasty mix is or
>>> is not a controlled substance and it shouldn't matter if it was.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jnifr
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: kcrecycling at earthlink.net [mailto:kcrecycling at earthlink.net]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:33 PM
>>> To: Jennifer Volkman; Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov; Matthew Mireles
>>> Cc: Vizzier, Michael; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>
>>>
>>> I like your idea Jennifer!  It could simplify the collection
>>> process---no need for a deputy officer to take the "controlled
>>> stuff"---but how do the legalities play out?
>>>
>>>
>>> kcrecycling at earthlink.net
>>> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>>> Sue Studebaker, Director
>>>
>>>
>>>> [Original Message]
>>>> From: Volkman, Jennifer <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us>
>>>> To: <Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov>; Matthew Mireles
>>> <mirelesmc at earthlink.net>
>>>> Cc: Vizzier, Michael <Michael.Vizzier at sdcounty.ca.gov>;
>>> <pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
>>>> Date: 1/29/2007 4:36:38 PM
>>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>> OK, another thought on this, maybe it has been thrown out already
>>>> somewhere in the past and eliminated for reasons that I can probably
>>>> come up with on my own...  :)
>>>>
>>>> How about if we have patients rip off all labels, mix all their pills
>>
>>>> and liquids together with vinegar and bring/mail them in for
>>>> collection. The meds are effectively destroyed/unidentifiable so DEA
>>>> won't be excited.  The collectors ship them to a HW incinerator in
>>>> lab
>>>
>>>> packs labeled as D001/poisons/pesticides, or the most appropriate DOT
>>
>>>> hazard class for the mixture.
>>>>
>>>> Participants can stick the labels with their name/number blacked out
>>>> to a sheet of paper with an estimation on the count/quantity for each
>>
>>>> if the collector would like to share that info with a program like
>>>> the
>>>
>>>> Unused and Expired Medicines Registry.
>>>>
>>>> If we make it simple enough for collectors, maybe more will do it.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of
>>>> Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov
>>>> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 11:13 AM
>>>> To: Matthew Mireles
>>>> Cc: 'Vizzier, Michael'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Characteristic" hazardous waste is any wastes that fall into the
>>>> following categories (see 40 CFR 261, Subpart C): Ignitability is 40
>>>> CFR 261.21; Corrosivity is 40 CFR 261.22; Reactivity is 40 CFR
>>>> 261.23;
>>>
>>>> Toxicity is 40 CFR 261.24.
>>>>
>>>> If you are pouring something down a sink that ultimately makes its
>>>> way
>>>
>>>> to a publicly owned treatment works, please also read the
>>>> Pretreatment
>>>
>>>> Regulations specific and general prohibitions at 40 CFR 403.5. There
>>>> is also a special reporting condition in the Pretreatment regulations
>>
>>>> regarding hazardous wastes in 40 CFR 403.12(p).
>>>> ~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~ Jan Pickrel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>              Matthew Mireles
>>>
>>>>              <mirelesmc at earth
>>>
>>>>              link.net>
>>> To
>>>>                                       "'Vizzier, Michael'"
>>>
>>>>              01/26/2007 11:56
>>> <Michael.Vizzier at sdcounty.ca.gov>
>>>>              AM                       , Jan Pickrel/DC/USEPA/US at EPA,
>>>
>>>>
>>>> pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>
>>>>
>>>> cc
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>> Subject
>>>>                                       RE: [Pharmwaste] Question
>>>
>>>>                                       regarding incinerators
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Good point.  I haven't heard of D001 and imagine it would apply to
>>>> mostly anesthetic agents (a little more effective than gin).  My
>>>> background is biomedical engineering and I still remember the
>>>> dreadful
>>>
>>>> assignment of pouring unused jars of agents down the sink weekly.
>>>>
>>>> Matthew Mireles
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of
>>>> Vizzier, Michael
>>>> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:07 AM
>>>> To: Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>> Another category of RCRA waste that sometimes captures
>>>> pharmaceuticals
>>>
>>>> is D001.  D001 wastes exhibit the characteristic of ignitibility,
>>>> which is defined as liquids with a flash point less than 140 F,
>>>> excluding aqueous solutions containing less than 24% alcohol - an
>>>> exemption for gin & tonic.
>>>>
>>>> Michael Vizzier
>>>> County of San Diego
>>>> Hazardous Materials Division
>>>> (858) 495-5672
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of
>>>> Pickrel.Jan at epamail.epa.gov
>>>> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:11 AM
>>>> To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>> See P-listed and U-listed wastes at 40 CFR 261.33.
>>>>  - -Jan
>>>> ~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~
>>>> Jan Pickrel
>>>> Water Permits Division, Industrial Branch
>>>> US Environmental Protection Agency
>>>> phone:  (202) 564-7904.
>>>> fax:  (202) 564-6431.
>>>> pickrel.jan at epa.gov
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>              Matthew Mireles
>>>>              <mirelesmc at earth
>>>>              link.net>
>>> To
>>>>              Sent by:                 "'Taam, Damon'"
>>>>              pharmwaste-bounc         <DTaam at spokanecity.org>,
>>>>              es at lists.dep.sta
>>> pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.stat
>>>>              te.fl.us                 e.fl.us,
>>>>
>>>> pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>
>>> cc
>>>>              01/26/2007 09:30         cecilia.deloach at h2e-online.org,
>>>>              AM                       rachel.golden at ncmail.net,
>>>>                                       'Elizabeth Smith'
>>>>                                       <smithce at flash.net>, 'Mary
>>>>                                       Kohrell'
>>>>
>> <kohrell.mary at co.calumet.wi.us>,
>>>>                                       'Racheal Johnson'
>>>>                                       <rjohnson1 at sleh.com>,
>> "'Hampton,
>>>>                                       Anita F'"
>>>>                                       <Anita.F.Hampton at nhmccd.edu>
>>>>
>>> Subject
>>>>                                       RE: [Pharmwaste] Question
>>>>                                       regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Damon,
>>>> Thanks for wealth of information you provided on this thread.  Can
>>>> you
>>>
>>>> point to me specific RCRA references regarding pharmaceutical items
>>>> being classified as both or either hazardous waster and/or solid
>>>> waste? I have been searching for these references and have not found
>>> any
>>>> determination on general classification specific to pharmaceuticals.
>>> I
>>>> conclude that in practice we don't group pharmaceuticals with
>>>> "medical
>>>
>>>> waste", and I'm not sure if there's a uniform acceptance of grouping
>>>> them as hazardous waste or solid waste, except perhaps certain items,
>>
>>>> such as antineoplastics and radioactive therapeutic agents.  Would
>>>> RCRA address both prescripts and OTC?  When do drugs become hazardous
>>
>>>> waste, after expiry date, when no longer used by patients/consumer,
>>>> when they appear in trash cans or landfill?
>>>>
>>>> Our Foundation has been collecting data on returned drugs from
>>>> various
>>>
>>>> collection events throughout the country.  Any info you can provide,
>>>> specifically concerning RCRA references, would be helpful.  So far,
>>>> we
>>>
>>>> have coded nearly 5,000 items, mainly to get a snapshot of the types
>>>> of drugs, quantity (actual pill count) returned, reason why they are
>>>> returned.  We also code average wholesale price, environmental hazard
>>
>>>> potential (based on the Swedish database: persistence,
>>>> bioaccumulation, and toxicity), as well as potential occupational
>>>> hazard exposure. Workers at solid waste treatment facilities probably
>>
>>>> are exposed to some level.  Both DEA and EPA are not specific to
>>>> occupational exposure, and the RCRA cites I discovered mention the
>>>> authority and responsibility of OSHA in this matter.
>>>>
>>>> I agree with you that this problem extremely complex.  Your
>>>> contribution to our discussion and the elucidation of just the basic
>>>> classification of pharmaceutical and personal care products as
>>>> hazardous waste and/or solid waste are both helpful and intriguing.
>>>> I'm sure others will have additional comments.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Matthew C. Mireles, Ph.D., M.P.H.
>>>> President and CEO
>>>> Community Medical Foundation for Patient Safety
>>>> 6800 West Loop South, Suite 190
>>>> Bellaire, Texas 77401
>>>> Phone and fax: 832-778-7777
>>>> www.communityofcompetence.com
>>>> cc
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Taam,
>>>> Damon
>>>> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 7:45 PM
>>>> To: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us;
>>>> pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> Cc: rachel.golden at ncmail.net; cecilia.deloach at h2e-online.org
>>>> Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>> HI all;
>>>>
>>>> RCRA is the federal law that manages waste. It is divided into two
>>>> categories: Hazardous waste (Subtitle C) and Solid Waste/garbage
>>>> (Subtitle D). Pharmaceuticals fall into both categories, each of
>>>> these
>>>
>>>> categories have very specific regulations to follow. Managing the
>>>> disposal of a hazardous waste is very costly, fortunately most
>>>> pharmaceuticals fall into the solid waste classification. If the
>>>> wastes comes from a household they are exempt from the hazardous
>>>> waste
>>>
>>>> regulations and therefore are classified as a solid wastes. Some
>>>> States like WA and CA also have their own hazardous waste laws that
>>>> are more stringent than the federal rules and need to be complied
>>>> with. Pharmaceutical wastes are typically divided into three
>>>> categories: Controlled substances, Legend drug, and Over the counter
>>>> drugs. Controlled substances are regulated by the DEA. The DEA has
>>>> very specific rules which need to be complied with, and the penalties
>>
>>>> for non-compliance are steep and serious. Currently, the DEA does not
>>
>>>> allow anyone other than the prescribed patient, a DEA licensed
>>>> company(reverse
>>>> distributor) and law enforcement entity manage controlled substances.
>>
>>>> The EPA is also serious about how and who manages hazardous waste.
>>>> The problem is that DEA requires controlled substances to be
>>>> destroyed and made unusable (to avoid reuse and abuse of the drug)
>>>> via an approved process. Typically, that means incineration in an
>>>> approved facility. There are not many facilities that are DEA & EPA
>>>> approved for the disposal of controlled substances and hazardous
>>>> waste. Most of the DEA approved facilities are like Spokane Waste to
>>>> Energy Facility. Our facility is a clean modern Waste to Energy
>>>> facility and should not be confused with incinerators of the past.
>>>> They are built with sophisticated combustion and air pollution
>>>> controls systems. Both
>>> dioxin
>>>> and mercury are controlled and regulated to levels that are minimal
>>> and
>>>> not a health risk. These facilities are built to destroy organic
>>>> waste of which 95% of the pharmaceuticals are. Pharmaceuticals in WA
>>>> are not regulated as a Dangerous Waste(State Hazardous) as long as
>>>> they are disposed of in facilities such as Spokane's. For more
>>>> information see our website: www.solidwaste.org Clearly
>>>> pharmaceuticals need to destroyed and not discharged into our rivers,
>>
>>>> lakes and our oceans. Landfills do not destroy the products, they
>>>> store them for our future generations to manage. Other technologies
>>>> do exist but are
>>> developmental
>>>> and have yet to commercially prove themselves as effective, reliable
>>> and
>>>> cost effective. Pharmaceuticals, like garbage isn't homogeneous and
>>> can
>>>> vary greatly on it's makeup and characteristics, therefore any new
>>>> technology will need to address many types of pharmaceuticals.
>>>>
>>>> Medical waste is an undefined term, but specifically is seen as waste
>>
>>>> from a medical facility. That in it's self is a wide range of wastes:
>>
>>>> sharps, paper, body parts, infectious waste, drugs, plastic trays,
>>>> etc. Some view it as just infectious waste. Needless to say it is a
>>>> label, and needs to be managed properly and not create a potential
>>>> problem. Medical waste incinerators of the past do not exist anymore
>>>> due to new requirements. They have either been modified with new
>>>> technology or just shut down, mostly the later. Compliance with the
>>>> new regulation are extensive and therefore are expensive. On the plus
>>
>>>> side, any existing combustion facilities are very clean, do a much
>>>> better job and have less an impact on our environment.
>>>>
>>>> Hazardous waste incinerators (vs Solid Waste combustors) burn at much
>>
>>>> higher temperatures but have similar air pollution control devices
>>>> and
>>>
>>>> are licensed and dedicated to destroying hazardous waste. Typically
>>>> hazardous waste incinerators utilize a lot of supplemental fuels to
>>>> maintain the high temperature destruction environment 4000F+, whereas
>>
>>>> a municipal Waste to Energy facility will operate in the 2500F range
>>>> with supplemental fuel for startup and shutdown only. There are trade
>>
>>>> offs, higher temperatures guarantee 100% destruction of all
>>>> organics(necessary for hazardous waste) but also create an
>>>> environment
>>>
>>>> that generates large quantities of NOX emissions. I hope this helps
>>>> you understand the complexity of the problem and the miriad of
>>>> regulations that need to be complied with.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Damon M.K. Taam
>>>> Spokane Regional Solid Waste System
>>>> 808 Spokane Falls Blvd.
>>>> Spokane, WA 99201
>>>>
>>>> (509) 625-6580 Office
>>>> (509) 625-6537 Fax
>>>>
>>>>       -----Original Message-----
>>>>       From:  [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On
>>> Behalf
>>>>       Of gressitt
>>>>       Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:25 PM
>>>>       To: 'Cecilia DeLoach'; 'Bill Lewry'; 'Volkman, Jennifer'
>>>>       Cc: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us;
>>>>       pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us; 'rachel golden'
>>>>       Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>       I would be interested in the same.
>>>>       Stevan Gressitt, M.D.
>>>>       207-441-0291
>>>>       www.mainebenzo.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>       From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>       [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of
>>>>       Cecilia DeLoach
>>>>       Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 12:06 PM
>>>>       To: 'Bill Lewry'; 'Volkman, Jennifer'
>>>>       Cc: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us;
>>>>       pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us; 'rachel golden'
>>>>       Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>       Hi all-
>>>>
>>>>       I'm wondering if any of you are familiar with other acceptable
>>>>       treatment technologies for the disposal of non-RCRA
>>> pharmaceutical
>>>>       waste. Many of you are likely familiar with our organization-
>>>>       Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E). And we are concerned
>>>>       about a placing a new reliance on medical or municipal waste
>>>>       incinerators at a time when we are working hard to decrease the
>>>>       necessity of burning any hospital generated waste (due to
>>> concerns
>>>>       around dioxin generation and mercury emissions in particular).
>>>>
>>>>       Have there been any discussions on this list about other
>>> approved
>>>>       technologies for the destruction of non-RCRA pharm waste? Is
>>>>       anyone aware of any testing of autoclaves, alkaline hydrolysis,
>>>>       microwaves or other "treatment technologies" for pharm waste?
>>>>
>>>>       I'd be very interested in hearing from you if so.
>>>>
>>>>       Many thanks,
>>>>       Cecilia
>>>>
>>>>       Cecilia DeLoach
>>>>       H2E State Partnership Program Coordinator
>>>>       1901 N. Moore Street, Suite 509
>>>>       Arlington, VA 22209
>>>>       Ph: 800-727-4179
>>>>       E-mail: cecilia.deloach at h2e-online.org
>>>>       www.h2e-online.org
>>>>
>>>>             -----Original Message-----
>>>>             From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>             [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On
>>> Behalf
>>>>             Of Bill Lewry
>>>>             Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 11:23 AM
>>>>             To: Volkman, Jennifer
>>>>             Cc: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us;
>>>>             pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us; rachel golden
>>>>             Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] Question regarding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>             Rachel:
>>>>
>>>>             Jennifer is absolutely correct here - one additional
>>> caveat
>>>>             - if the medical waste is a controlled substance it must
>>> go
>>>>             to a DEA approved incinerator.
>>>>             (Embedded image moved to file: pic08324.gif)Inactive hide
>>>>             details for "Volkman, Jennifer"
>>>>             <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us>"Volkman, Jennifer"
>>>>             <Jennifer.Volkman at state.mn.us>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>                                "Volkma
>>>>                                n,
>>>>                                Jennife
>>>>                                r"      (Embedded image moved to file:
>>>>                                <Jennif pic27799.gif)
>>>>                                er.Volk
>>> To
>>>>                                man at sta       (Embedded image moved to
>>>>                                te.mn.u       file: pic15653.gif)
>>>>                                s>            "rachel golden"
>>>>                                Sent
>>> <rachel.golden at ncmail.net>
>>>>                                by:           ,
>>>>                                pharmwa
>>> <pharmwaste at lists.dep.stat
>>>>                                ste-bou       e.fl.us>
>>>>                                nces at li (Embedded image moved to file:
>>>>                                sts.dep pic07701.gif)
>>>>                                .state.
>>> cc
>>>>                                fl.us         (Embedded image moved to
>>>>                                              file: pic28841.gif)
>>>>                                        (Embedded image moved to file:
>>>>                                01/17/2 pic04404.gif)
>>>>                                007
>>> Subject
>>>>                                03:32         (Embedded image moved to
>>>>                                PM            file: pic15729.gif)
>>>>                                              RE: [Pharmwaste]
>> Question
>>>>                                              regharding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>                                        (Embedded image moved to file:
>>>>                                        pic19215.gif)
>>>>                                                (Embedded image moved
>>> to
>>>>                                                file: pic30565.gif)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>             Depending on the type of incinerator, how it is fed and
>>> the
>>>>             emission control system, a medical or infectious waste
>>>>             incinerator might do as good a job destroying pharms as a
>>>>             haz waste incinerator.  Regardless, any pharm waste that
>>> is
>>>>             categorized as a RCRA haz waste must go to a RCRA
>>> permitted
>>>>             haz waste incinerator.  If a pharm is not a HW it could
>> go
>>>>             to a medical/infectious waste incinerator if your state
>>>>             permits that.  You should check in with your state or
>>> local
>>>>             HW inspectors.
>>>>
>>>>             ________________________________
>>>>
>>>>             From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us on behalf
>>> of
>>>>             rachel golden
>>>>             Sent: Wed 1/17/2007 2:14 PM
>>>>             To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>             Subject: [Pharmwaste] Question regharding incinerators
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>             I have a question regarding the incineration of unused
>>>>             pharmaceuticals.  I am relatively new to the list, so
>>>>             forgive me if this has been discussed before.  I believe
>>>>             that unused drugs in North Carolina sent through a
>> reverse
>>>>             distributor end up being incinerated at a medical waste
>>>>             facility.  The point was recently made that
>>> pharmaceuticals
>>>>             are considered hazardous waste, not medical waste, and
>>> that
>>>>             the incineration process safe for medical waste is not
>>>>             necessarily safe for drugs.  Does anybody have any
>>>>             information on this subject from anywhere in the U.S.?
>>>>             Specifically, what are the differences between
>>> incinerators
>>>>             built to handle medical waste versus hazardous waste?
>> Are
>>>>             drugs considered to be medical waste or hazardous waste?
>>>>             I appreciate the help!
>>>>             Rachel
>>>>
>>>>             --
>>>>             Rachel Golden
>>>>             Adult Environmental Education Program Manager
>>>>             Office of Environmental Education
>>>>             NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
>>>>             1609 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609
>>>>             919-733-0711 (phone) 919-733-1616 (fax)
>>>>             rachel.golden at ncmail.net
>>>>             www.eenorthcarolina.org <http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/>
>>>>
>>>>             Check out the EcoSmart Consumer MySpace page <
>>>>             http://www.myspace.com/ecosmartconsumer>  and blog <
>>>>             http://ecosmartconsumer.blogspot.com/> !
>>>>             _______________________________________________
>>>>             Pharmwaste mailing list
>>>>             Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>
>>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>>             _______________________________________________
>>>>             Pharmwaste mailing list
>>>>             Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>>
>>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Pharmwaste mailing list
>>>> Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Pharmwaste mailing list
>>>> Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Pharmwaste mailing list
>>>> Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pharmwaste mailing list
>>> Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Pharmwaste mailing list
>>> Pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
>>> http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pharmwaste
>>>
>>
>>
>
>




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