Final EPA Rule Prohibits Sewering Of Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste: WebDentistry: Home of SmileFinder!
Summary
Among other provisions, the EPA’s finalized rule issued in July prohibits facilities from pouring pharmaceutical hazardous waste down sink drains or toilets, a practice known as “sewering.” Although the rule will have the greatest impact on hospitals, pharmaceutical retail outlets, long-term care facilities and reverse distributors, dental providers in some states will also need to take steps to comply with the no-sewering requirement by the Aug. 21 effective date. Some California counties, including Sacramento and Contra Costa, already prohibit health care providers from sewering hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. The EPA, as part of the new rule, discourages sewering of even nonhazardous waste pharmaceuticals as a best management practice. Composites, bonding agents, sealants, resins and other dental devices are not considered pharmaceuticals under California’s definition. By prohibiting sewering, the final rule titled “Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine” is expected to “reduce the amount of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals entering our waterways by 1,644 to 2,300 tons on an annual basis,” according to the EPA.