Medical waste - Idaho

The EPA has not had regulatory authority over medical waste since the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 expired in 1991. Most states have since developed their own programs, resulting in significant differences for each state. A summary of this state’s requirements includes the following.

Idaho only regulates medical waste generated by facilities that meet the definition of a hospital. It also has very specific medical waste requirements for chiropractic physicians, licensed midwives, and medical waste combustors. All other facilities must meet the federal medical waste standards of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (including the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard) and U.S. Department of Transportation.

• The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare regulates infectious waste generated as hospitals (IAC IDAPA 16.03.14.550.06). The regulations cover:
  • 550.06(b) Storage and transport of infectious waste,
  • 550.06(c) Treatment and disposal of infectious waste, and
  • 55.06(d) Alternate methods.
• The Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses regulates medical waste disposal generated by chiropractic physicians certified in clinical nutrition and licensed midwives:
  • IAC IDAPA 24.03.01.709 regulations for chiropractic physicians cover:
    • 709.01 Containers for non-sharp medical waste, and
    • 709.02 Containers for sharps.
  • IAC IDAPA 24.26.01.202 requires midwives to follow state and federal law.
• The Idaho Statutes contain requirements for medical waste combustors (Sections 39-103 and 39-128).

Related information

• Medical waste RegSense

Citations

• Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 261
• Federal regulation 40 CFR Part 262
• Federal regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030
• Federal Regulation 49 CFR Subchapter C
• Idaho Administrative Code Rule 16.03.14
• Idaho Administrative Code Section 24.03.01.709
• Idaho Administrative Code Section 24.26.01.202
• Idaho Statutes Section 39-103
• Idaho Statutes Section 39-128