...
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.
Regulatory requirements for infectious waste in Missouri are typically based on the generator and the amount generated. The state has three classifications of infectious waste generators: individuals, small-quantity generators, and large-quantity generators.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regulates infectious waste management in hospitals, defines infectious wastes for entities that generate small quantities of infectious waste, and reviews infectious waste treatment methods for approval.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Waste Management Program regulates packaging, transporting, tracking, manifesting, and disposing of infectious waste. The department also issues permits to facilities that treat, process, consolidate, or transfer infectious waste. A general rule is that once infectious waste leaves the generator, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulates the waste.
The regulations cover:
- 10 CSR 25-6.263 Infectious waste transporter licensing requirements;
- 10 CSR 80-2.010 Infectious waste defined;
- 10 CSR 80-5.010 Solid waste processing facility requirements;
- 10 CSR 80-7.010 Infectious waste management requirements;
- 16 RSMo 260.203 Treatment, transportation, and proper disposal of infectious waste requirements;
- 16 RSMo 260.204 Prohibitions of permit for treatment of infectious waste; and
- 19 CSR 30-20 Hospital infectious waste generator requirements and hospital support services requirements.
Related information
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
- Code of State Regulations Section 25-6.263
- Code of State Regulations Chapter 30-20
- Code of State Regulations Section 80-2.010
- Code of State Regulations Section 80-5.010
- Code of State Regulations Section 80-7.010
- Revised Statutes of Missouri Section 260.203
- Revised Statutes of Missouri Section 260.204