Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators
The purpose of this page is to provide information regarding EPA's air emission regulations for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (HMIWI). Information is categorized into four groups as follows: (1) Rule Information, (2) Technical Information, (3) Implementation Information, or (4) Related Web Sites. Descriptions of (and direct links to) these areas are provided below.
Rule Information -- This area contains Federal Register notices for both proposed and promulgated (final) rules. The Federal Register notices summarize the basis of the rules and include the actual regulatory text. In addition, and update on the litigation and links to closely related rules, policies, or program guidance are provided here.
Technical Information -- This area contains technical information used in developing the rules. Background documents are available for download. In addition, fact sheets which summarize the requirements of the rules are available here.
Implementation Information -- This area contains implementation information including guidance for States and the current status of State Plans. In addition, compliance and enforcement information is provided here.
Related Web Sites -- This area provides links to other web sites where additional information may be found.
Rule Information
Proposed and Promulgated Rules
- Subpart Ec of 40 CFR Part 60 - New Source Performance Standards
for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators constructed after
June 20, 1996
- Subpart Ce of 40 CFR Part 60 - Emission Guidelines for Hospital/Medical/Infectious
Waste Incinerators constructed on or before June 20, 1996
- Subpart HHH of 40 CFR Part 62 - Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators constructed on or before June 20, 1996
Litigation Update
- On August 11, 2006, the Court entered a Consent Order establishing a schedule.
- The Court announced its opinion regarding the HMIWI litigation on
March 2, 1999. The DC Circuit Court
website contains a searchable data base of court opinions.
- Background information regarding the litigation.......................................
- View and/or download the opinion right here...........................................
Closely Related Rules, Policies or Program Guidance
- Large MWC Units 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts Eb and Cb - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Large Municipal Waste Combustors
- Small MWC Units 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts AAAA and BBBB - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units
- Hazardous Waste Combustors 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart EEE - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Hazardous Waste Combustors
Technical Information
Background Information Document (BID)/Response to Comments
- All of the materials listed below (as well as other information considered by EPA in developing the HMIWI regulations) are available in Docket A-91-61 for public inspection and copying by calling or visiting EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (the Docket Office). A reasonable fee may be charged for copying. The telephone number for the Docket Office is 202-260-7548.
- Reports identified with an EPA number (e.g., EPA-453/R-94-042a) are also available (for a fee) through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). NTIS documents are identified by a publication number in the table below (e.g., PB95-193116INZ). To order through NTIS, call 1-800-553-6847 or fax (703) 321-8547 or email orders@ntis.fedworld.gov Visit the NTIS Website to search for additional documents.
- Historical Background Documents related to NSPS/EG (Subparts Ec and Ce)
- Some of the items below are available for immediate download.
Documents related to Federal Plan (Subpart HHH)
Date | Description (EPA Number) | Item Number in Docket A-98-24 |
File Download |
June 2000 | Background Information for Federal Plan- Public Comments and Responses | EPA-456/R-00-003 |
Fact Sheets
Implementation Information
Implementation Documents
Compliance and Enforcement Information
Applicability Determination Index (ADI). The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues. The database is searchable by Subpart.
Related Web Sites
Medical Waste Pollution Prevention (P2) This site provides information about mercury as commonly used in medical care facilities, especially hospitals and clinics as well as other P2 initiatives to reduce hospital waste.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) The U.S. EPA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have signed an MOU to address Pollution Prevention ("P2") opportunities at hospitals. The primary purpose of the MOU is to transfer technical information on P2 opportunities that exist with respect to waste generated by the health care industry. This information transfer will provide the health care industry with tools for reducing the volumes of waste generated. Such reductions are beneficial to the environment and will reduce the waste disposal costs incurred by the health care industry.
The Sustainable Hospitals Project The Sustainable Hospitals Project provides health care personnel with tools, training and technical support to improve the environmental practices of hospitals and healthcare facilities.
NOTE: Links identified with this symbol are pointers to other hosts and locations in the Internet. This information is provided as a service; however the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not endorse, approve or otherwise support these sites.