[Pharmwaste] Proposed Universal Waste Rule for Pharmaceuticals

[DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ)]

http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/pharm-rule.htm

 

Status Update

As a result from comments received in response to the December 2, 2008
Proposed Rule, the Agency has decided to develop another proposal for
healthcare facility-specific regulations for the management of hazardous
pharmaceutical wastes in order to provide a regulatory scheme that
addresses the unique issues that hospitals, pharmacies and other
healthcare-related facilities face. It is anticipated that the proposal
will be available for public comment in Spring 2013.

Background

EPA has proposed to add hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the Universal
Waste Rule in order to provide a system for disposing hazardous
pharmaceutical wastes that is protective of public health and the
environment. The proposed addition will make it easier for generators to
collect and properly dispose of these items as hazardous wastes,
resulting in a simpler and more streamlined waste management system. 

This proposed rule applies to: 

*    pharmacies, 

*    hospitals, 

*    physicians' offices, 

*    dentists' offices, 

*    outpatient care centers, 

*    ambulatory health care services, 

*    residential care facilities, 

*    veterinary clinics, and 

*    other facilities that generate hazardous pharmaceutical wastes.

The rule encourages generators to dispose of non-hazardous
pharmaceutical waste as universal waste, thereby removing this
unregulated waste from wastewater treatment plants and municipal solid
waste landfills. The addition of hazardous pharmaceutical waste to the
Universal Waste Rule will facilitate the collection of personal
medications from the public at various facilities so that they can be
more properly managed.

Currently the federal Universal Waste Rule includes batteries,
pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. Universal wastes
are typically generated in a wide variety of settings including
industrial settings and households, by many sectors of society, and may
be present in significant volumes in non-hazardous waste management
systems.

Federal Register Notice
<http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WASTE/2008/December/Day-02/f28161.htm>
| PDF Version
<http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WASTE/2008/December/Day-02/f28161.pdf>
(26 pp, 345K, about PDF <http://www.epa.gov/epahome/pdf.html> ) -
Proposed Rule - December 2, 2008 
Federal Register Notice
<http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WASTE/2009/January/Day-30/f2035.htm>  |
PDF Version
<http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WASTE/2009/January/Day-30/f2035.pdf>
(1 pg, 61K, about PDF <http://www.epa.gov/epahome/pdf.html> ) -
Extension of the Comment Period - January 30, 2009 

 

Go to the site for more details

 

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov <http://www.deq.virginia.gov/> 
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents 
www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/microconstituents.html

Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028      FAX:      804-698-4032

 

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