§ 130A-309.26. Regulation of medical waste. - North Carolina Statutes

§130A‑309.26.  Regulation of medical waste.

(a)        As used in thissection:

(1)        "Sharps"means needles, syringes, and scalpel blades.

(2)        "Treatment"means any process, including steam sterilization, chemical treatment,incineration, and other methods approved by the Commission which changes thecharacter or composition of medical waste so as to render it noninfectious.

(b)        It is the intent ofthe General Assembly to protect the public health by establishing standards forthe safe packaging, storage, treatment, and disposal of medical waste. TheCommission shall adopt and the Department shall enforce rules for thepackaging, storage, treatment, and disposal of:

(1)        Medical waste atfacilities where medical waste is generated;

(2)        Medical waste fromthe point at which the waste is transported from the facility where it wasgenerated;

(3)        On‑site andoff‑site treatment of medical waste; and

(4)        The off‑sitetransport, storage, treatment or disposal of medical waste.

(c)        No later than 1August 1990, the Commission shall adopt rules necessary to protect the health,safety, and welfare of the public and to carry out the purpose of this section.Such rules shall address, but need not be limited to, the packaging of medicalwaste, including specific requirements for the safe packaging of sharps and thesegregation, storage, treatment, and disposal of medical wastes at thefacilities in which such waste is generated. (1989, c. 784, s. 2; 1995(Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 594, s. 20.)