20 CAR § 53-504 – Proposed treatment techniques

(a) All proposed treatment techniques, with the exception of incineration, shall:
1. (1) Be approved by the Department of Health; and
2. (2) Meet the following levels of microbial inactivation:
  1. (A) Inactivation of representative samples of mycobacteria, at a level of 6 log 10 (99.9999%) reduction or greater, as determined by the department; and
  2. (B) Inactivation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus endospores or Bacillus atrophaeus endospores at a level of 4 log 10 (99.99%) reduction or greater, as determined by the department.
(b) After the department approves the proposed technology, on-site treatment efficacy testing is required before an operation license is issued, with the exception of incineration technologies.
(c) Total destruction technologies must receive approval from the department for the type, use, or waiver of efficiency testing.
(d) One (1) or more representative surrogate microorganisms from each microbial group shall be used in the treatment efficacy evaluation, unless waivered by the department.
(e) The department shall determine the appropriate microorganisms to serve as representative surrogate microorganisms.
(f) Protocols developed for efficacy testing shall incorporate, as applicable, recognized standard procedures.
(g) Guidelines for testing and approval of medical waste treatment technologies may be obtained from the department.
(h) The department shall be notified at least twenty (20) working days before efficacy testing begins.