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 ------- |