15A NCAC 13B .1202      GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL WASTE

(a)  Medical waste is subject to the rules in 15A NCAC 13B, "Solid Waste Management."

(b)  Sharps and other sharp objects such as syringes with attached needles, capillary tubes, slides and cover slips, lancets, auto injectors, connection needles and sets, exposed ends of dental wires, and objects that can penetrate the skin shall be placed in a rigid, leak-proof when in an upright position, and puncture-resistant container, and shall not be compacted prior to off‑site transportation unless placed in a sealed compactor unit that is hauled off for disposal by the transporter.

(c)  Blood and body fluids in individual containers in volumes of 20 milliliters or less shall be stored in an area accessible only to the responsible party or their designated representative, and shall not be compacted prior to off-site transportation.

(d)  Regulated medical waste shall not be compacted prior to treatment.

(e)  Only the responsible party or their designated representative shall have access to regulated medical waste.

(f)  Medical waste shall not become putrescent. Medical waste shall be disposed of or treated within three calendar days of becoming putrescent.

(g)  Medical waste shall not become a nuisance.

(h)  Medical waste accepted at transfer or storage operations or a treatment facility shall not be subject to the requirements of Rule .1203(a) and (b)(2) of this Section.

(i)  Medical waste treatment and disposal methods:

(1)           Blood and body fluids in individual containers in volumes greater than 20 milliliters shall be disposed of by sanitary sewer if the local sewage treatment authority has been notified; or treated by incineration or steam sterilization.

(2)           Microbiological waste shall be treated by incineration, steam sterilization, ozonation, microwave, or chemical treatment.

(3)           Non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste shall be treated by incineration or disposed of at a municipal solid waste landfill. The requirements of this Subparagraph shall not prevent non-hazardous pharmaceuticals from being returned to the vendor.

(4)           Pathological waste shall be treated by incineration or ozonation.

(5)           Trace chemotherapy waste shall be treated by incineration or ozonation.

(6)           Noninfectious medical waste and blood and body fluids in individual containers in volumes of 20 milliliters or less may be disposed of in a municipal solid waste landfill, or treated by the treatment methods as described in this Paragraph. Blood and body fluids in individual containers in volumes of 20 milliliters or less may also be disposed of in a sanitary sewer. The requirements of this Subparagraph shall not prevent noninfectious medical waste such as textiles, plastic, glass, or metal from being recycled.

(j)  Medical waste treated at the generating facility is not subject to the requirements of Paragraphs (o), (p), and (q) of this Rule, and Rule .1204(b)(1), (b)(3), and (b)(8) of this Section.

(k)  Crematoriums are not subject to the requirements of this Section.

(l)  Transport vehicles, transfer or storage operations, and treatment facilities shall:

(1)           be kept free of leaked, spilled, and unpackaged medical waste;

(2)           not contain porous floor coverings;

(3)           be ventilated;

(4)           not create a nuisance; and

(5)           have a method of leak control or spill cleanup, including decontamination.

(m)  A responsible party shall be present when regulated medical waste is being transferred by means of transfer or storage operations.

(n)  Regulated medical waste shall be transported and stored in a manner that prevents exposure to the environment and inclement weather.

(o)  Unrefrigerated regulated medical waste shall be treated within 21 calendar days of shipment from the generator.

(p)  Refrigeration at an ambient temperature of a maximum of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.22 degrees Celsius) shall be maintained for regulated medical waste not treated within 21 calendar days of shipment from the generator.

(q)  All regulated medical waste shall be treated within 60 calendar days of shipment from the generator.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑309.26;

Eff. October 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. January 4, 1993; March 1, 1991;

Readopted Eff. November 1, 2019.