Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 500-599 - Environmental Protection - Solid Waste Management › Chapter NR 526 - Medical Waste Management › Subchapter II - Infectious Waste Management › Section NR 526.11 - Treatment methods

Current through June 24, 2024
Except as provided in s.
					 NR
					 526.04, no person may dispose of infectious waste in a
					 solid waste disposal facility unless the infectious waste has undergone
					 treatment in accordance with this section. The treatment method shall
					 effectively render the waste non-infectious. The treatment method shall be
					 chosen by considering the properties of the waste being treated and the degree
					 of microbial contamination.
Note: The treatment method may also need to comply with air
					 standards for control of hazardous pollutants in ch. NR 445 and with state or
					 federal regulations for wastewater and occupational health and safety.
(1) METHODS. Except as provided in s.
				  NR
				  526.04, all infectious waste shall be treated by one
				  or more of the following infectious waste treatment methods:
(a)
Incineration.
Treatment
				  by incineration shall consist of incineration in a controlled air,
				  multi-chambered incinerator which provides complete combustion of the waste to
				  carbonized or mineralized ash. The incinerator shall be one that is regulated
				  by the department under s.
				  NR
				  502.09 or
				  502.13.
(b)
Steam disinfection.
Treatment by steam disinfection, including but not limited to autoclaving,
				  shall subject all the waste to a combination of operational temperature,
				  pressure (if applicable) and time proven to render the waste non-infectious at
				  the design capacity of the installed equipment.
(c)
Chemical disinfection.
Treatment by chemical disinfection shall expose the infectious waste to an
				  appropriate type and concentration of disinfectant for a period of time
				  sufficient to render the waste non-infectious. The chemical disinfectant shall
				  be chosen based on the manufacturer's recommended use of the disinfectant, the
				  cleanliness of the surface of the waste, the contact time, the physical and
				  chemical properties of the waste, the concentration of the disinfectant and the
				  degree of microbial contamination.
(d)
Mechanical grinding and chemical
				  disinfection.
Treatment by mechanical grinding and chemical
				  disinfection shall expose all of the waste to the chemical disinfectant for a
				  period of time sufficient to render the waste non-infectious. The chemical
				  disinfectant shall be chosen based on the use of the disinfectant in medical
				  situations, the cleanliness of the surface of the waste, the contact time, the
				  physical and chemical properties of the waste, the concentration of the
				  disinfectant and the degree of microbial contamination. Treatment by mechanical
				  grinding and chemical disinfection shall prevent the release of infectious
				  liquid or infectious gaseous discharges into the environment.
(e)
Mechanical grinding and heat
				  disinfection.
Treatment by mechanical grinding and heat disinfection,
				  including but not limited to low frequency wave radiation and microwave
				  radiation, shall expose all of the waste to heat for a period of time
				  sufficient to render the waste non-infectious. Treatment by mechanical grinding
				  and heat disinfection shall prevent the release of infectious liquid or
				  infectious gaseous discharges into the environment.
(f)
Gas disinfection.
Treatment by gas disinfection shall allow gas to penetrate all the infectious
				  waste and shall render the waste non-infectious. The unit shall be operated in
				  a manner that does not pose an occupational risk of exposure to the gas.
Note: For ethylene oxide sterilizers, refer to OSHA
					 regulations in
					 29 CFR 1910.1047.
					 Air toxic rules in ch. NR 445 may also apply.
(g)
Other methods.
Treatment
				  by other treatment methods and processes shall render the waste non-infectious
				  and shall be appropriate with respect to all of the following: the properties
				  of the waste being disinfected, the manufacturer's recommended use of the
				  disinfectant, the cleanliness of the surface of the waste, the contact time,
				  the physical properties of the waste, the concentration of the disinfectant and
				  the degree of microbial contamination.