This site provides pollution prevention and compliance assistance information for the healthcare sector. It is intended to be a comprehensive resource, covering all the varieties of hospital wastes, and all the rules that apply to them, including both federal regulations and the specific rules that apply in your state. If you see any topics that are not covered, or if you have any suggestions for making this site more useful, please let us know.

ETO Update. After February 28, 2010, a single chamber process is required for ethylene oxide (ETO) treatment of medical equipment and devices in hospitals and healthcare facilities. More ...

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE). Any healthcare facility with either emergency or non-emergency generators should be aware of the implications of this wide-reaching rule, which may require retrofits of existing generators. More...

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC). On Nov. 5, 2009 EPA promulgated revisions to the December 2008 amendments. Regulated facilities must develop and implement SPCC Plans that establish procedures and equipment requirements to help prevent oil discharges from reaching navigable waters. More...

On September 25, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a series of steps that building owners and school administrators should take to reduce exposure to PCBs that may be found in caulk in hospitals constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978. More.

New Federal Rule Establishes Requirements During Renovation, Repair and Painting Activities that Disturb Lead-Based Paint
The covered facilities include parts of hospitals where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The rule applies to renovation, repair or painting activities. (More information.)

New Library Feature
added to HERC
 

Healthcare in New England. A guide to environmental resources and assistance for hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Sustainable Healthcare. Current information and breaking news on sustainable practices, conferences/ workshops, and MLB maintained by Virginia Thompson, winner of the 2009 Federal Women's Program Heroine Award.

EPA proposes to add Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste to Universal Waste Rule. See Fact Sheet.

Disposal of Unused Medications
—Advice for Households
This fact sheet provides guidance to private citizens on ways to safely dispose of unused medications.

Dental Wastes: This fact sheet HERC provides is an overview of best management practices for handling and recycle/disposal of wastes commonly generated at dental offices, including amalgam, x-ray wastes, cleaners, etc. More...

Epinephrine Fact Sheet: This fact sheet provides information to assist healthcare facilities with hazardous waste determinations regarding epinephrine wastes (PO42). For Information on state rules, download PharmWaste Technologies state summary.

Need help in carrying out your waste reduction, mercury elimination, or environmental compliance program? Practice Greenhealth can show you the way.