Recent surveys by metro county regulators of several hospitals to determine compliance with hazardous waste rules have resulted in a number of warning letters to hospitals. Since early 2002, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) has been working jointly with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) to develop a consistent regulatory approach to ensure proper management of hazardous waste generated at health care facilities. The SWMCB is a joint powers board that coordinates regional solid and hazardous waste program initiatives in the Twin Cities metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington.

In 2003, SWMCB started working with representatives of the Minnesota health care sector to communicate regulatory concerns, develop strategies for addressing concerns and to achieve regulatory compliance. SWMCB held several meetings with health care representatives to discuss these issues.

SWMCB held a meeting in August for hazardous and medical waste vendors to review challenges facing hospitals and vendors and discuss possible solutions to issues such as proper storage containers for hazardous waste, lab pack labeling and manifesting, manifesting waste code requirements, shipping and handling of mixed infectious and hazardous waste and Minnesota Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Transportation requirements. Representatives from several organizations were on hand. For more information contact Ann Gibson, MHA health policy director.

Newsline, July 23, 2004