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Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators

(Docket#A-91-61, A-98-24, EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0534 and EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0405)

The purpose of this page is to provide information regarding EPA's air emission regulations for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (HMIWI).   Information is categorized into four groups as follows: (1) Rule Information, (2) Technical Information, (3) Implementation Information, or (4) Related Web Sites.   Descriptions of (and direct links to) these areas are provided below.

Rule Information - This area contains Federal Register notices for both proposed and promulgated (final) rules.   The Federal Register notices summarize the basis of the rules and include the actual regulatory text.   In addition, an update on the litigation and links to closely related rules, policies, or program guidance are provided here.

Technical Information - This area contains technical information used in developing the rules.   Background documents are available for download.   In addition, fact sheets which summarize the requirements of the rules are available here.

Implementation Information - This area contains implementation information including guidance for States and the current status of State Plans.   In addition, compliance and enforcement information is provided here.

Related Web Sites - This area provides links to other web sites where additional information may be found.


Rule Information

Proposed and Promulgated Rules

  • Subpart Ec of 40 CFR Part 60 - New Source Performance Standards for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators constructed after June 20, 1996
  • Subpart Ce of 40 CFR Part 60 - Emission Guidelines for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators constructed on or before June 20, 1996
  • Subpart HHH of 40 CFR Part 62 - Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators constructed on or before June 20, 1996
Date
Federal
Register
Citation
Action
Description
File Download
05/13/13 78 FR 28052 Final Rule Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Constructed On or Before December 1, 2008, and Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators
481k
04/23/12 77 FR 24272 Proposed rule and proposed rule Amendments Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Constructed on or Before December 1, 2008 and Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources
479k
04/4/11 76 FR 18407 Final rule; amendments Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators: final rule amendments.
185k
05/14/10 75 FR 27249 Proposed Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators: proposed rule amendments.
171k
10/06/09 74 FR 51367 Final Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators; Final Rule
326k
12/01/08 73 FR 72962 Proposed Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators; Proposed Rule
355k
02/06/07 72 FR 5510 Proposed Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators; Proposed Rule
367k
02/10/06 71 FR 7036 Proposed Proposed Settlement Agreement, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit:Notice of Proposed Settlement Agreement; Request for Public Comment.
177k
08/15/00 65 FR 49868 Final Final Federal Plan (Part 62 Subpart HHH) to implement Subpart Ce
345k
07/06/99 64 FR 36426 Proposed Rules Proposed Federal Plan (Part 62 Subpart HHH) to implement Subpart Ce
320k
09/15/97 62 FR 48348 Rules/Regulations Final Rule (Promulgation) of Subparts Ec and Ce
453k
06/20/96 61 FR 31736 Proposed Rules Re-proposal of Subparts Ec and Ce
513k
02/27/95 60 FR 10654 Proposed Rules Original Proposal of Subparts Ec and Ce
407k
NOTE: All files are Government Printing Office (GPO) files unless otherwise indicated by *.

Litigation Update

Closely Related Rules, Policies or Program Guidance

  • Large MWC Units - 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts Eb and Cb - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Large Municipal Waste Combustors
  • Small MWC Units - 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts AAAA and BBBB - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units
  • CISWI Units - 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts CCCC and DDDD - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators
  • OSWI Units - 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts EEEE and FFFF - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Other Solid Waste Incinerators
  • Hazardous Waste Combustors - 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart EEE - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Hazardous Waste Combustors
  • Sewage Sludge Incinerators - SI 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts LLLL and MMMM - New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Sewage Sludge Incinerators
  • More Information on EPA Combustion Web Site

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Technical Information

Background Information Document (BID)/Response to Comments 

  • All of the materials listed below (as well as other information considered by EPA in developing the HMIWI regulations) are available in Docket A-91-61 for public inspection and copying by calling or visiting EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (the Docket Office).   A reasonable fee may be charged for copying.   The telephone number for the Docket Office is 202-260-7548.
  • Reports identified with an EPA number (e.g., EPA-453/R-94-042a) are also available (for a fee) through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).   NTIS documents are identified by a publication number in the table below (e.g., PB95-193116INZ).   To order through NTIS, call 1-800-553-6847 or fax (703) 321-8547 or email orders@ntis.fedworld.gov     Visit the NTIS Website Exit EPA disclaimer   to search for additional documents.
  • Historical Background Documents related to NSPS/EG (Subparts Ec and Ce)
  • Some of the items below are available for immediate download.
Date Description Item Number in
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0534
File Download
11/2009 AMENDMENT: Revised Sulfur Dioxide MACT Floor, Data Variability Analysis, and Emission Limit for New Large HMIWI 0411
10/2009 FINAL: Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators(40 CFR Part 60 Subparts Ec and Ce) - Response to Public Comments 0393
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Materials from the HWIMI public hearing 0361
10/2009 FINAL: Economic Impacts of Revised MACT Standards for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators - Final Report 0376
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Baseline Emissions and Emissions Reductions for Existing and New HMIWI 0386
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Compliance Costs and Economic Inputs for Existing HMIWI 0384
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Compliance Costs and Economic Inputs for New HMIWI 0385
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Baseline Operating Costs for Existing HMIWI 0381
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Baseline Operating Costs for New HMIWI 0382
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Secondary Environmental and Energy Impacts for New HMIWI 0388
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Secondary Environmental and Energy Impacts for Existing HMIWI 0387
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Updated Sales Information for Companies Considered Borderline Small Entities 0379
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Comparison of CDD/CDF Non-Detect Data-Full Detection Limit vs. 1/2 Detection Limit 0380
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Updated Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerator (HMIWI) Inventory Database 0389
10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised MACT Floors, Data Variability Analysis, and Emission Limits for Existing and New HMIWI 0383

10/2009 FINAL: Memorandum: Revised Analysis of Beyond the Floor Options 0390
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Economic Impacts of Revised MACT Standards for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators 0329
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Baseline Emissions and Emissions Reductions for Existing and New HMIWI 0322
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Compliance Costs and Economic Inputs for Existing HMIWI 0325
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Compliance Costs for New HMIWI 0326
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Documentation of HMIWI Test Data Database 0318
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Summary of Industry Responses to HMIWI Waste Segregation Information Collection Request 0316
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Comparison of Regulatory Limits with Emissions Test Data 0328
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Baseline Operating Costs for Existing HMIWI 0327
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Secondary Environmental and Energy Impacts for New HMIWI 0324
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Secondary Environmental and Energy Impacts for Existing HMIWI 0323
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: New Source Projections for HMIWI Population 0317
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Updated Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerator (HMIWI) Inventory 0319
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: MACT Floors, Data Variability Analysis, and Emission Limits for Existing and New HMIWI 0320
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Analysis of Beyond the Floor Options 0321
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum: Voluntary Consensus Standard Results for Standards of Performance for Medical and Infectious Waste Incineration 0330
12/2008 PROPOSAL: Memorandum Attachment: Voluntary Consensus Standard Results for Standards of Performance for Medical and Infectious Waste Incineration 0330.1

Documents related to Federal Plan (Subpart HHH)

Date Description (EPA Number) Item Number in
Docket A-98-24
File Download
05/2013 Final: Redline Version of the HMIWI Federal Plan Highlighting the Final Amendments EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0405-0012
05/2013 Final: Inventory of Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Potentially Covered by the Proposed Section 111(d)/129 Federal Plan EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0405-013
04/03/2013 Final: Pre-FR-publication version Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Constructed On or Before December 1, 2008, and Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators  
04/2012 Inventory of Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Potentially Covered by the Proposed Section 111(d)/129 Federal Plan EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0405-0002
June 2000 Background Information for Federal Plan- Public Comments and Responses EPA-456/R-00-003  

Fact Sheets

04/04/13 FACT SHEET - Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Constructed On or Before December 1, 2008, and Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources: Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators
3/28/12 FACT SHEET - Proposed Federal Plan Requirements for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators Constructed on or Before December 1, 2008 and Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources
3/20/11 FACT SHEET - Final Amendments to New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators.
09/15/09 FACT SHEET - Final Amendments to New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators.
12/08 FACT SHEET - Proposed Amendments to New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators.
1/07 FACT SHEET - Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators: Proposed Amendments to New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines. P
8/2000 FACT SHEET - Final Federal Plan for Existing Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators (Subpart HHH)
8/97 Press Release Fact Sheet - Final Rule (Subparts Ec and Ce)
8/97 Technical FACT SHEET - Final New Source Performance Standards (Subpart Ec)
8/97 Technical FACT SHEET - Final Emission Guidelines (Subpart Ce)

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Implementation Information

Implementation Documents

2013 Status of State Plans
Frequently Asked Questions Document (Draft) -- 10/6/09 Revised NSPS and Emissions Guidelines
2010 State Implementation Guidance Document with Appendices (EPA-453/B-10-001)(PDF format)
2010 State Implementation Guidance Document with Appendices (EPA-453/B-10-001)(zipped format)
Brochure: Amended Regulation Controlling Emissions from Existing HMIWI - 10/2009
Applicability Flowchart: Amended Regulation Controlling Emissions from HMIWI - 10/2009
September 2009 HMIWI Inventory
November 2008 HMIWI Inventory
1997 State Implementation Guidance Document  (EPA-456/R-97-007)
1997 State Implementation Guidance Document  (EPA-456/R-97-007) w/o appendices
Questions and Answers Document - 11/97
List of Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas - 6/93  
Brochure: New Regulations Controlling Emissions from HMIWI - 9/97
Current Status of State Plans

Compliance and Enforcement Information

Applicability Determination Index (ADI).   The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues.   The database is searchable by Subpart.

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Related Web Sites

Medical Waste Pollution Prevention (P2)   This site provides information about mercury as commonly used in medical care facilities, especially hospitals and clinics as well as other P2 initiatives to reduce hospital waste.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)   The U.S. EPA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have signed an MOU to address Pollution Prevention ("P2") opportunities at hospitals.   The primary purpose of the MOU is to transfer technical information on P2 opportunities that exist with respect to waste generated by the health care industry.   This information transfer will provide the health care industry with tools for reducing the volumes of waste generated.   Such reductions are beneficial to the environment and will reduce the waste disposal costs incurred by the health care industry.

The Sustainable Hospitals Project Exit EPA disclaimer   The Sustainable Hospitals Project provides health care personnel with tools, training and technical support to improve the environmental practices of hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Definition of Non-Hazardous Solid Waste Rule seeks to clarify which non-hazardous secondary materials are, or are not, solid wastes when burned in combustion units

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