Alabama Administrative Code › Title 335 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT › AIR DIVISION - AIR POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM › Chapter 335-3-3 - OPEN BURNING AND INCINERATION › Section 335-3-3-.04 - Incineration Of Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) For the purpose of this Rule, the
				following definitions apply:
(a)
				"
Batch HMIWI
" means an HMIWI that is designed such
				that neither waste charging nor ash removal can occur during
				combustion.
(b)
				"
Biologicals
" means preparations made from living
				organisms and their products, including vaccines, cultures, etc., intended for
				use in diagnosing, immunizing, or treating humans or animals or in research
				pertaining thereto.
(c)
				"
Blood Products
" means any product derived from human
				blood, including but not limited to blood plasma, platelets, red or white blood
				corpuscles, and other derived licensed products, such as interferon,
				etc.
(d) "
Body
				Fluids
" means liquid emanating or derived from humans and limited
				to blood; dialysate; amniotic, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, peritoneal and
				pericardial fluids; and semen and vaginal secretions.
(e) "
Bypass stack
"
				means a device used for discharging combustion gases to avoid severe damage to
				the air pollution control device or other equipment.
(f) "
Chemotherapeutic
				waste
" means waste material resulting from the production or use
				of antineoplastic agents used for the purpose of stopping or reversing the
				growth of malignant cells.
(g)
				"
Co-fired combustor
" means a unit combusting hospital
				waste and/or medical/infectious waste with other fuels or wastes (e.g., coal,
				municipal solid waste) and subject to an enforceable requirement limiting the
				unit to combusting a fuel feed stream, 10 percent or less of the weight of
				which is comprised, in aggregate, of hospital waste and medical/infectious
				waste as measured on a calendar quarter basis. For purposes of this definition,
				pathological waste, chemotherapeutic waste, and low-level radioactive waste are
				considered "other" wastes when calculating the percentage of hospital waste and
				medical/infectious waste combusted.
(h) "
Continuous emission
				monitoring system or CEMS
" means a monitoring system for
				continuously measuring and recording the emissions of a pollutant from an
				affected facility.
(i)
				"
Continuous HMIWI
" means an HMIWI that is designed to
				allow waste charging and ash removal during combustion.
(j) "
Dioxins/furans
"
				means the combined emissions of tetra-through octa-chlorinated
				dibenzo-para-dioxins and dibenzofurans, as measured by EPA Reference Method
				23.
(k) "
Dry
				scrubber
" means an add-on air pollution control system that
				injects dry alkaline sorbent (dry injection) or sprays an alkaline sorbent
				(spray dryer) to react with and neutralize acid gases in the HMIWI exhaust
				stream forming a dry powder material.
(l) "
Fabric filter or
				baghouse
" means an add-on air pollution control system that
				removes particulate matter (PM) and nonvaporous metals emissions by passing
				flue gas through filter bags.
(m)
				"
High-air phase
" means the stage of the batch
				operating cycle when the primary chamber reaches and maintains maximum
				operating temperatures.
(n)
				"
Hospital
" means any facility which has an organized
				medical staff, maintains at least six inpatient beds, and where the primary
				function of the institution is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient
				services and continuous nursing care primarily to human inpatients who are not
				related and who stay on average in excess of 24 hours per admission. This
				definition does not include facilities maintained for the sole purpose of
				providing nursing or convalescent care to human patients who generally are not
				acutely ill but who require continuing medical supervision.
(o) "
Hospital/medical/infectious
				waste incinerator or HMIWI or HMIWI unit
" means any device that
				combusts any amount of hospital waste and/or medical/ infectious
				waste.
(p)
				"
Hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator operator or HMIWI
				operator
" means any person who operates, controls or supervises
				the day-to-day operation of an HMIWI.
(q) "
Hospital waste
"
				means discards generated at a hospital, except unused items returned to the
				manufacturer. The definition of hospital waste does not include human corpses,
				remains, and anatomical parts that are intended for interment or
				cremation.
(r)
				"
Infectious agent
" means any organism (such as a virus
				or bacteria) that is capable of being communicated by invasion and
				multiplication in body tissues and capable of causing disease or adverse health
				impacts in humans.
(s)
				"
Intermittent HMIWI
" means an HMIWI that is designed
				to allow waste charging, but not ash removal, during combustion.
(t) "
Large HMIWI
"
				means:
1. Except as provided in subparagraph
				2.;
(i) An HMIWI whose maximum design waste
				burning capacity is more than 500 pounds per hour; or
(ii) A continuous or intermittent HMIWI whose
				maximum charge rate is more than 500 pounds per hour; or
(iii) A batch HMIWI whose maximum charge rate
				is more than 4,000 pounds per day.
2. The following are not large HMIWI:
(i) A continuous or intermittent HMIWI whose
				maximum charge rate is less than or equal to 500 pounds per hour; or
(ii) A batch HMIWI whose maximum charge rate
				is less than or equal to 4,000 pounds per day.
(u) "
Low-level radioactive
				waste
" means waste material which contains radioactive nuclides
				emitting primarily beta or gamma radiation, or both, in concentrations or
				quantities that exceed applicable federal or State standards for unrestricted
				release. Low-level radioactive waste is not high-level radioactive waste, spent
				nuclear fuel, or by-product material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act of
				1954 [
				42
				U.S.C. 2014(e)(2)
				].
(v) "
Maximum charge
				rate
" means:
1. For continuous
				and intermittent HMIWI, 110 percent of the lowest 3-hour average charge rate
				measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with
				all applicable emission limits.
2.
				For batch HMIWI, 110 percent of the lowest daily charge rate measured during
				the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with all applicable
				emission limits.
(w)
				"
Maximum design waste burning capacity
" means:
1. For intermittent and continuous HMIWI,
Click to
				  view image
Where:
C = HMIWI capacity, lb/hr
PV = primary chamber volume,
				  ft3
15,000 = primary chamber heat release rate factor,
				  Btu/ft3/hr 8,500 = standard waste heating value,
				  Btu/lb;
2. For batch HMIWI,
Click to
				  view image
Where:
C = HMIWI capacity, lb/hr
PV = primary chamber volume,
				  ft3
4.5 = waste density, lb/ft3
8 = typical hours of operation of a batch HMIWI,
				  hours.
(x)
				"
Maximum fabric filter inlet temperature
" means 110
				percent of the lowest 3-hour average temperature at the inlet to the fabric
				filter (taken, at a minimum, once every minute) measured during the most recent
				performance test demonstrating compliance with the dioxin/furan emission
				limit.
(y) "
Maximum
				flue gas temperature
" means 110 percent of the lowest 3-hour
				average temperature at the outlet from the wet scrubber (taken, at a minimum,
				once every minute) measured during the most recent performance test
				demonstrating compliance with the mercury (Hg) emission limit.
(z) "
Medical/infectious
				waste
" means any waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or
				immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in
				the production or testing of biologicals that is listed below: The definition
				of medical/infectious waste does not include hazardous waste identified or
				listed under the regulations in ADEM Admin. Code R. 335-14-2; household waste,
				as defined in ADEM Admin. Code R.
				335-14-2-.01(4)(b)1.;
				ash from incineration of medical/ infectious waste, once the incineration
				process has been completed; human corpses, remains, and anatomical parts that
				are intended for interment or cremation; and domestic sewage materials
				identified in ADEM Admin. Code R.
				335-14-2-.01(4)(a)1.
1. Cultures and stocks of infectious agents
				and associated biologicals, including: cultures from medical and pathological
				laboratories; cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research and
				industrial laboratories; wastes from the production of biologicals; discarded
				live and attenuated vaccines; and culture dishes and devices used to transfer,
				inoculate, and mix cultures.
2.
				Human pathological waste, including tissues, organs, and body parts and body
				fluids that are removed during surgery or autopsy, or other medical procedures,
				and specimens of body fluids and their containers.
3. Human blood and blood products including:
(i) Liquid waste human blood;
(ii) Products of blood;
(iii) Items saturated and/or dripping with
				human blood; or
(iv) Items that
				were saturated and/or dripping with human blood that are now caked with dried
				human blood; including serum, plasma, and other blood components, and their
				containers, which were used or intended for use in either patient care, testing
				and laboratory analysis or the development of pharmaceuticals. Intravenous bags
				are also included in this category.
4. Sharps that have been used in animal or
				human patient care or treatment or in medical, research, or industrial
				laboratories, including hypodermic needles, syringes (with or without the
				attached needle), Pasteur pipettes, scalpel blades, blood vials, needles with
				attached tubing, and culture dishes (regardless of presence of infectious
				agents). Also included are other types of broken or unbroken glassware that
				were in contact with infectious agents, such as used slides and cover
				slips.
5. Animal waste including
				contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that were
				known to have been exposed to infectious agents during research (including
				research in veterinary hospitals), production of biologicals or testing of
				pharmaceuticals.
6. Isolation
				wastes including biological waste and discarded materials contaminated with
				blood, excretions, exudates, or secretions from humans who are isolated to
				protect others from certain highly communicable diseases, or isolated animals
				known to be infected with highly communicable diseases.
7. Unused sharps including the following
				unused, discarded sharps: hypodermic needles, suture needles, syringes, and
				scalpel blades.
(aa)
				"
Medium HMIWI
" means:
1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2.;
(i) An HMIWI whose maximum design waste
				burning capacity is more than 200 pounds per hour but less than or equal to 500
				pounds per hour; or
(ii) A
				continuous or intermittent HMIWI whose maximum charge rate is more than 200
				pounds per hour but less than or equal to 500 pounds per hour; or
(iii) A batch HMIWI whose maximum charge rate
				is more than 1,600 pounds per day but less than or equal to 4,000 pounds per
				day.
2. The following
				are not medium HMIWI:
(i) A continuous or
				intermittent HMIWI whose maximum charge rate is less than or equal to 200
				pounds per hour or more than 500 pounds per hour; or
(ii) A batch HMIWI whose maximum charge rate
				is more than 4,000 pounds per day or less than or equal to 1,600 pounds per
				day.
(bb)
				"
Minimum dioxin/furan sorbent flow rate
" means 90
				percent of the highest 3-hour average dioxin/furan sorbent flow rate (taken, at
				a minimum, once every hour) measured during the most recent performance test
				demonstrating compliance with the dioxin/furan emission limit.
(cc) "
Minimum Hg sorbent flow
				rate
" means 90 percent of the highest 3-hour average Hg sorbent
				flow rate (taken, at a minimum, once every hour) measured during the most
				recent performance test demonstrating compliance with the Hg emission
				limit.
(dd) "
Minimum
				hydrogen chloride (HCl) sorbent flow rate
" means 90 percent of the
				highest 3-hour average HCl sorbent flow rate (taken, at a minimum, once every
				hour) measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance
				with the HCl emission limit.
(ee)
				"
Minimum horsepower or amperage
" means 90 percent of
				the highest 3-hour average horsepower or amperage to the wet scrubber (taken,
				at a minimum, once every minute) measured during the most recent performance
				test demonstrating compliance with the applicable emission limits.
(ff) "
Minimum pressure drop
				across the wet scrubber
" means 90 percent of the highest 3-hour
				average pressure drop across the wet scrubber PM control device (taken, at a
				minimum, once every minute) measured during the most recent performance test
				demonstrating compliance with the PM emission limit.
(gg) "
Minimum scrubber liquor
				flow rate
" means 90 percent of the highest 3-hour average liquor
				flow rate at the inlet to the wet scrubber (taken, at a minimum, once every
				minute) measured during the most recent performance test demonstrating
				compliance with all applicable emission limits.
(hh) "
Minimum scrubber liquor
				pH
" means 90 percent of the highest 3-hour average liquor pH at
				the inlet to the wet scrubber (taken, at a minimum, once every minute) measured
				during the most recent performance test demonstrating compliance with the HCl
				emission limit.
(ii)
				"
Minimum secondary chamber temperature
" means 90
				percent of the highest 3-hour average secondary chamber temperature (taken, at
				a minimum, once every minute) measured during the most recent performance test
				demonstrating compliance with the PM, CO, or dioxin/furan emission
				limits.
(jj)
				"
Modification or Modified HMIWI
" means any change to
				an HMIWI unit on or after June 20, 1996 such that:
1. The cumulative costs of the modifications,
				over the life of the unit, exceed 50 per centum of the original cost of the
				construction and installation of the unit (not including the cost of any land
				purchased in connection with such construction or installation) updated to
				current costs, or
2. The change
				involves a physical change in or change in the method of operation of the unit
				which increases the amount of any air pollutant emitted by the unit for which
				standards have been established under Section 129 or Section 111.
(kk) "
Operating
				day
" means a 24-hour period between 12:00 midnight and the
				following midnight during which any amount of hospital waste or medical/
				infectious waste is combusted at any time in the HMIWI.
(ll) "
Operation
"
				means the period during which waste is combusted in the incinerator excluding
				periods of startup or shutdown.
(mm) "
Particulate matter or
				PM
" means the total particulate matter emitted from an HMIWI as
				measured by EPA Reference Method 5 or EPA Reference Method 29.
(nn) "
Pathological
				waste
" means waste material consisting of only human or animal
				remains, anatomical parts, and/or tissue, the bags/containers used to collect
				and transport the waste material, and animal bedding (if applicable).
(oo) "
Primary
				chamber
" means the chamber in an HMIWI that receives waste
				material, in which the waste is ignited, and from which ash is
				removed.
(pp)
				"
Pyrolysis
" means the endothermic gasification of
				hospital waste and/or medical/infectious waste using external energy.
(qq) "
Responsible
				Official
" means one of the following:
1. For a corporation: a president, secretary,
				treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal
				business function, or any other person who performs similar policy or
				decision-making functions for the corporation, or a duly authorized
				representative of such person if the representative is responsible for the
				overall operation of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating
				facilities applying for or subject to a permit and either:
(i) The facilities employ more than 250
				persons or have gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in
				second quarter 1980 dollars); or
(ii) The delegation of authority to such
				representatives is approved in advance by the Department;
2. For a partnership or sole proprietorship:
				a general partner or the proprietor, respectively;
3. For a municipality, State, Federal, or
				other public agency: Either a principal executive officer or ranking elected
				official. For the purposes of this Rule, a principal executive officer of a
				Federal agency includes the chief executive officer having responsibility for
				the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency (e.g., a
				Regional Administrator of EPA); or
4. For affected sources: the designated
				representative for any other purposes under this Rule.
(rr) "
Secondary
				chamber
" means a component of the HMIWI that receives combustion
				gases from the primary chamber and in which the combustion process is
				completed.
(ss)
				"
Shutdown
" means the period of time after all waste
				has been combusted in the primary chamber. For continuous HMIWI, shutdown shall
				commence no less than 2 hours after the last charge to the incinerator. For
				intermittent HMIWI, shutdown shall commence no less than 4 hours after the last
				charge to the incinerator. For batch HMIWI, shutdown shall commence no less
				than 5 hours after the high-air phase of combustion has been
				completed.
(tt) "
Small
				HMIWI
" means:
1. Except as
				provided in subparagraph 2.;
(i) An HMIWI
				whose maximum design waste burning capacity is less than or equal to 200 pounds
				per hour; or
(ii) A continuous or
				intermittent HMIWI whose maximum charge rate is less than or equal to 200
				pounds per hour; or
(iii) A batch
				HMIWI whose maximum charge rate is less than or equal to 1,600 pounds per
				day.
2. The following
				are not small HMIWI:
(i) A continuous or
				intermittent HMIWI whose maximum charge rate is more than 200 pounds per
				hour;
(ii) A batch HMIWI whose
				maximum charge rate is more than 1,600 pounds per day.
(uu) "
Standard
				conditions
" means a temperature of 20 ºC and a pressure of
				101.3 kilopascals.
(vv)
				"
Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area or SMSA
" means
				any areas listed in OMB Bulletin No. 93-17 entitled "Revised Statistical
				Definitions for Metropolitan Areas" dated June 30, 1993 (see
				40 CFR §
											60.17).
(ww) "
Startup
" means
				the period of time between the activation of the system and the first charge to
				the unit. For batch HMIWI, startup means the period of time between activation
				of the system and ignition of the waste.
(xx) "
Wet scrubber
"
				means an add-on air pollution control device that utilizes an alkaline
				scrubbing liquor to collect particulate matter (including nonvaporous metals
				and condensed organics) and/or to absorb and neutralize acid gases.