I'm resubmitting comments because the previous one didn't seem to show up because of the formatting.

Best,

Anne.

April 18, 2022

Priscilla D. Rohrer

Guidance & Regulation Coordinator

Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 3000

Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Re:       Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations

            9VAC20-120 & 9VAC20-121

Dear Ms. Rohrer:

The Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI) of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) is pleased to provide comments on the proposed Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations. The HWI represents manufacturers and service providers as well as other professionals in the healthcare waste management industry.

The Healthcare Waste Institute is an advocacy organization within NWRA, a not-for-profit trade group serving the interests of the solid and healthcare waste industries. The Institute supports private companies across the United States that manage healthcare waste, including regulated medical waste and infectious substances, through transportation and facility operations.

Section 9VAC20-121-40 Applicability

Part B of this section requires that all existing regulated medical waste management facilities must submit a complete permit application within six months after the effective date of this regulation to come into compliance with this chapter. While HWI members support many of the changes in the regulations, we do not support the requirement for a new application to be submitted by existing facilities with current permits. Rather, we recommend that existing permittees be instead required to comply with the new regulations upon permit renewal.

Section 9VAC20-121-120. Storage of regulated medical waste

HWI supports requirements to limit storage of regulated medical waste. However, the storage time for small generators is very limited. We recommend increasing the storage time to 90 days. In addition, we recommend that onsite storage for both RMW treatment facilities and transfer stations be ten days.

Section 9VAC20-121-240. Treatment standards.

B.16 of this section requires that reusable treatment containers (autoclave bins) be clean and free of residuals before reuse. Often when being treated small amount of film plastics will melt onto the insides of the containers. Cleaning methods do not remove this melted plastic. We recommend that the language be modified to provide consideration for this de minimum material.

C.1 of this section requires specific temperature, pressure and time for autoclave operations with alternate combinations permitted based on demonstration through validation testing. The 90 minute cycle at 250 degrees F is significantly longer and much cooler than typical. We suggest instead requiring validation testing to determine the appropriate operations parameters for each treatment facility.

C.3 of this section requires a minimum of three pre-vacuum cycles to be conducted. Typically, there are three vacuum cycles are conducted: once at the beginning, once at the end of the pre-heat cycle and a final time at the end of the final heat cycle. However, there are not three “pre”-vacuum cycles. We suggest removing the prefix “pre” from the language.  

HWI appreciates your consideration of our comments. HWI and its members would welcome the opportunity to discuss these and other concerns in further detail. Should you have any questions, please call Anne Germain at 202-364-3724 or e-mail at agermain@wasterecycling.org.

Very truly yours,

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Darrel K. Smith

President & CEO