Arizona Regulated Medical Waste Compliance Standards
In the state of Arizona, the regulation of medical waste is overseen by several entities that work collaboratively, including the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the federal Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA), and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (DEC). Additionally, certain Arizona localities, including Maricopa County, may regulate medical waste to address specific local concerns.
Legislative authority for state regulation of medical waste originates in Title 18, Chapter 13 of Arizona’s Administrative Code. “Medical waste” is defined as “any solid waste which is generated in the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of a human being or animal or in any research relating to that diagnosis, treatment or immunization, or in the production or testing of biologicals, and includes discarded drugs but does not include hazardous waste as defined in A.R.S. § 49-921 other than conditionally exempt small quantity generator waste.”
Biohazardous medical waste, as defined by ADEQ, includes:
- Human blood and blood products
- Tattoo and body modification waste
ADEQ notes that generators for such biohazardous medical waste include:
- Long-term Care and Hospice Facilities
- Pharmacies (offering regular immunizations or other medical services)
ADEQ states that generators of biohazardous waste are ultimately responsible for waste from generation to treatment. Generators are advised to choose a reputable biohazardous medical waste transporter that is registered with ADEQ. Registered transporters have submitted and have an approved Transportation Management Plan (including waste transport procedures, personnel training, and business registration) on file.
ADEQ calls for specific procedures to be followed for the packaging and storage of biohazardous medical waste. For non-sharps biohazardous medical waste, generators must use either a red disposable plastic bag that is:
- Of sufficient strength to prevent tearing or bursting under normal conditions of use and handling.
- Sealed to prevent leakage during transport, and
- Placed in a secondary container that contains the universal biohazard symbol to protect the bag during storage and transport. The secondary container may be either disposable or reusable.
Or use reusable containers which display the biohazard symbol and are:
- Leak-proof on all sides and bottom, closed with a fitted lid, and constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials.
- Used for the storage or transport of biohazardous medical waste.
- Cleaned after each use unless the inner surfaces of the container have been protected by disposable liners.
For disposal of sharps, ADEQ calls for biohazardous medical waste generators, prior to sharps being treated for on- or offsite disposal, to:
- Place medical sharps in a container that is rigid, puncture resistant, leak proof, and capable of being securely closed.
- If sharps are being treated through a mail-back treatment system, package sharps in provided packaging and retain proof of shipping.
ADEQ’s regulation for the storage of biohazardous medical waste requires generators to:
- Ensure that the storage area for biohazardous medical waste cannot be used to store substances for human consumption or for medical supplies.
- Secure such an area so that only authorized personnel have access to it.
- Display the universal biohazard symbol in the storage area and post warning signs in English and Spanish.
- Ensure that no biohazardous medical waste is stored for more than 90 days, and that any putrescible waste is refrigerated after 72 hours.
- Keep area free of visible contamination
- Ensure that the waste does not come into contact with water, precipitation, wind, or animals.
- Ensure that the waste does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents.
