Pennsylvania Medical Waste Disposal

Pennsylvania Medical Waste Disposal Service Area

Bio-MED services the entire state of Pennsylvania including the following cities for medical waste disposal.

Pennsylvania Medical Waste Disposal

Pennsylvania Regulated Medical Waste Regulations. Pennsylvania has strict rules and regulations when it comes to regulated medical waste. Below are some of the generators responsibilities when it comes to regulated medical waste guidelines, this is not all inclusive. Should you have any questions please call Bio-MED at 800-736-2466 or view the states regulations on their website.

Segregation

 (a)  Regulated medical waste and chemotherapeutic waste shall be segregated at the point of origin at the generating facility into the following three categories:

   (1)  Regulated medical waste, excluding pathological waste.

   (2)  Pathological waste.

   (3)  Chemotherapeutic waste.

 (b)  Each category of waste segregated under subsection (a) shall be placed in a separate container, except used sharps that qualify as regulated medical waste may be placed in a chemotherapeutic waste used sharps container.

 (c)  When bags are used as containers to segregate the waste, the bags must be fluorescent orange, orange-red or red in color for regulated medical waste or pathological waste.

 (d)  When bags are used as containers to segregate the waste, the bags must be yellow in color for chemotherapeutic waste, unless the chemotherapeutic waste is processed onsite in an incinerator that operates in accordance with §  284.2 (relating to permits-by-rule for regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste processing facilities; qualifying facilities; general requirements) or in accordance with a permit authorized by the Department.

 (e)  When bags are used to segregate and store the waste, the requirements of §  284.413 (relating to storage containers) must be satisfied.

Basic Storage Requirements

 (a)  After regulated medical and chemotherapeutic waste has been segregated and collected for transportation to an onsite or offsite processing facility, the waste shall be stored and contained in a manner that:

   (1)  Maintains the integrity of the containers, prevents the leakage or release of waste from the containers, and provides protection from water, rain, and wind.

   (2)  Prevents the spread of regulated medical waste or chemotherapeutic agents.

   (3)  Affords protection from animals and does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents.

   (4)  Maintains the waste in a nonputrescent state, using refrigeration (‹= 7°C or ‹= 45°F) or freezing (‹= -18°C or ‹= 0°F) when necessary.

   (5)  Prevents odors from emanating from the container.

   (6)  Prevents unauthorized access to the waste. As part of this requirement, the following shall be met:

     (i)   Enclosures and containers used for storage of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste shall be secured to deny access to unauthorized persons.

     (ii)   Enclosures and containers shall be marked with prominent warning signs indicating the storage of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (b)  Enclosures at a waste generating or processing facility that are used for the storage of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste must be constructed of finish materials that are impermeable and capable of being readily maintained in a sanitary condition. Containers located in enclosures used for the storage of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste must be maintained in compliance with §  284.413 (relating to storage containers) and in a manner that minimizes human exposure and vectors. Exhaust air from storage areas must be ventilated to minimize human exposure.

 (c)  Regulated medical and chemotherapeutic waste may not be commingled with other waste in the same container.

 (d)  The generator may store regulated medical waste, chemotherapeutic waste or municipal waste that has been sorted and separately containerized in the same location, including on a cart.

Storage Containers

 (a)  Regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste shall be placed in containers that are:

   (1)  Leakproof on the sides and bottom and maintained in an upright position.

   (2)  Impervious to moisture.

   (3)  Sufficient in strength to prevent puncturing, tearing or bursting during storage.

 (b)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), used sharps shall be placed in containers that are:

   (1)  Rigid.

   (2)  Tightly lidded.

   (3)  Puncture resistant.

 (c)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), regulated medical waste fluids in quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters and chemotherapeutic waste fluids shall be placed in containers that are:

   (1)  Break resistant.

   (2)  Tightly lidded or tightly stoppered.

 (d)  When bags are used as the only container, double or multiple bagging shall be employed and the following requirements shall be met:

   (1)  Upon packaging, the bags shall be securely tied.

   (2)  The bags must be constructed of material of sufficient single thickness strength to meet the following:

     (i)   The ASTM Standard D1709, Test Method for Impact Resistance of Polyethylene Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method, with an impact resistance of 165 grams or greater (Method A).

     (ii)   The ASTM Standard D1922, Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method, with a tearing resistance, parallel and perpendicular to the length of the bag of 480 grams.

     (iii)   If the standards in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) are modified by ASTM, the standard that is in effect on the date of manufacture of the bags shall be applied.

   (3)  Bags must include one of the following certifications indicating that the ASTM standards have been met:

     (i)   Each bag must contain a printed certification by the manufacturer.

     (ii)   The manufacturer may issue a certification letter to the regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste generator and print a certification on each packaged lot of the bags.

   (4)  Bags must have sufficient seam strength that is at least equal in resistance to tearing and equally impermeable as the other portions of the bag.

   (5)  Bags must be fluorescent orange, orange-red or red in color for regulated medical waste and yellow in color for chemotherapeutic waste and contain colorants that are organic pigments with no heavy metal content.

Marking of Containers

 (a)  For onsite or offsite transportation of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste, the outermost containers of regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste must be labeled with the following:

   (1)  The words ‘‘chemotherapeutic waste’’ if chemotherapeutic waste is placed in the container.

   (2)  Until November 8, 2016, the words ‘‘infectious waste’’ or ‘‘regulated medical waste’’ if regulated medical waste is placed in the container.

   (3)  After November 8, 2016, the words ‘‘regulated medical waste’’ if regulated medical waste is placed in the container.

   (4)  The universal biohazard symbol that conforms to the design in 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(1)(i)(B) (relating to bloodborne pathogens) and the word ‘‘BIOHAZARD.’’

   (5)  The date the container was full or the date that the generator sealed the container, whichever occurs earlier.

   (6)  The name, address and telephone number of the generator if the waste is transported offsite.

 (b)  The requirements of subsection (a) do not apply if the outermost container is a vehicle or conveyance, including a roll-off, and all of the following are satisfied:

   (1)  The waste in the vehicle or conveyance is from a single generator.

   (2)  The vehicle or conveyance is transported offsite for processing or disposal every 30 days.

   (3)  The vehicle or conveyance complies with the requirements of §  284.513 (relating to transportation of regulated medical and chemotherapeutic waste; additional provisions).

   (4)  The outside of the vehicle or conveyance displays the information required in subsection (a)(5), except when a record of the date the vehicle or conveyance is full or sealed, whichever occurs earlier, is maintained by the generator and available for inspection by the transporter or Department for 1 year.

   (5)  The outside of the vehicle or conveyance displays the information required in subsection (a)(6).

 (c)  Nonwall-mounted used sharps containers storing regulated medical waste must have fluorescent orange, orange-red or red markings and chemotherapeutic waste must have yellow markings. The markings must sufficiently identify the waste as regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (d)  The information required under this section must be clearly legible and produced with indelible ink in a color that contrasts with the color of the container, such as black. If a label is used to provide the information, the label must be securely attached to the container.

Duration of Storage of Regulated Medical and Chemotherapeutic Waste for Generators

 (a)  Regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste may not be stored for longer than 30 days from the date that the storage container is full or sealed by the generator, whichever occurs earlier.

 (b)  If the regulated medical or chemotherapeutic waste becomes putrescent during the storage period identified in subsection (a), the waste shall be moved offsite within 3 business days for processing or disposal.

Pennsylvania About

Pennsylvania officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Appalachian regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and New Jersey to the east.

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Pennsylvania Interesting Information

Pennsylvania is the fifth-most populous state in the nation with over 13 million residents as of 2020. It is the 33rd-largest state by area, and it ranks ninth among all states in population density. Nearly half the population 6.09 million, is concentrated in the southeastern Delaware Valley metropolitan area, centered around Philadelphia, the state’s largest and nation’s sixth most populous city; another one-third of the state’s residents live in Greater Pittsburgh 2.37 million, in the southwest. Pennsylvania’s three largest cities are Philadelphia 1.6 million, Pittsburgh 302,971, and Allentown 125,845. Other major cities include Erie, Reading, Bethlehem, and Scranton. The state capital is Harrisburg.

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