oEPA
               United States
               Environmental Protection
               Agency
            Office of
            Solid Waste and
            Emergency Response
DIRECTIVE NUMBER: 9488.05(85)

TITLE: Effective Incineration of Infectious Wastes



APPROVAL DATE:  5-22-85

EFFECTIVE DATE:  5-22-85

ORIGINATING OFFICE: office of solid waste

E FINAL
   •*           ^           ^
D DRAFT

 STATUS:

                              A- Pending OMB approval
                              B- Pending AA-OSWER approval
                              C- For review &/or comment
                           [ ]  D- In development or circulating

                REFERENCE (other document!):      headquarters
  OSWER      OSWER      OSWER
VE   DIRECTIVE   DIRECTIVE    Dl

-------
.PARTS 264-265  SUBPART 0 -  INCINERATOR
                                                 DOC: 9488.05(85)
Key Words:

Regulations:

Subject:

Addressee:



Originator:

Source Doc:

Date:

Summary:
Incineration, Infectious Waste, Trial Burns
Effective Incineration of Infectious Wastes

Herbert B. Schneiderman, Executive Director, St. Louis Univ.
Medical Center, Health Services Division, 325 South Grand Blvd.,
St. Louis, Missouri 63104

Alan S. Corson, Chief, Studies and Methods Branch

#9488.05(85)

5-22-85
     This letter recommends that facilities implement trial burns to standardize
operating procedures for incinerating infectious waste.  It also states that,.
while the Agency does not recommend an optimum incineration temperature because
of a number of variables, it believes that temperatures ranging from 1800° to
2200°F should effectively destroy pathogens and biologically active materials.

     The letter also recommends that facilities consult with State officials  to
ensure that waste management practices comply with State requirements.

-------
                                                                9488.05 (85)

                                            II1985
Mr. Herbert 8.  Schneiderman
Executive  Director
St. Louis  University Medical  Center
"Health Services Division
325 South  Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri  63104

Dear Mr. Schneiderman:

     Thank you  for your  letter  of May  7,  1985,  in which you
request Ayency  evaluation of  the infectious waste management
plan provided by Bio-Tech Services, Inc.,  (letter dated
May 7, 1985, from Lee Boyland,  Bio-Tech to Alan Corson).

     We have reviewed carefully the infectious  waste
management plan submitted by  Bio-Tech  Services, Inc.  While
Agency policy precludes endorsement of products and services,
we agree that the management  and handling procedures outlined
in the plan are in accordance with EPA guidelines contained
in the Draft Manual for Infectious Waste Management.

     With  respect to your inquiry regarding effective incineration
of infectious waste, the Agency recommends that your facility
implement  "trial burns* to standardize operating procedures
for incinerating these waste.   The Agency has not recommended
an optimum incineration temperature because design features
and operating procedures, as  well as combustion temperature,
determine  the relative efficiency of each unit.  Parameters
such as variation in waste composition, waste feed rate, air
feed rate, fuel feed rate, and  combustion temperature determine
whether adequate destruction  of biologically active materials
will occur.  Nevertheless, we believe, that temperatures
ranging from 1,800* - 2,200*F should effectively destroy
pathogens  and biologically active materials.

     The Agency recommends, however, that Bio-Tech consult
with State officials to assure  that their operation as well
as their clients' handling and  waste management practices
comply with State requirements.  (For  example,  some States
require that certain types of infectious waste  be pretreated
prior to shipment to an off-site facility.)

-------
     The Agency supports waste management practices which
assure that hazardous waste or potentially hazardous waste
are managed in a manner that is protective of human health
and the environment.  Moreover, we promote environmentally
sound resource recovery such as the waste heat recovery
boiler at your facility.

     If you have questions regarding points outlined in this
letter, or if you require additional information or guidance,
please feel free to contact Jacqueline Sales, of my staff,
at (2Q2) 382-4807.
                                Sincerely,
                                Alan 8. Corson
                                     Chief
                       Studies and Methods Branch (WH-562B)
cci  Lee Boyland

-------