S-0166.3          _______________________________________________

                                 SENATE BILL 5083

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              56th Legislature             1999 Regular Session

By Senator Swecker

Read first time 01/12/1999.  Referred to Committee on Environmental Quality & Water Resources.

Requiring a study of treatment and disposal methods of biomedical waste.

     AN ACT Relating to biomedical waste treatment and disposal; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) With assistance from the department of health, the University of Washington graduate school of public affairs, shall conduct a study on the relative risks posed by different methods of treatment and disposal of biomedical waste.  The study shall consider the risk associated with exposure to infectious organisms, to workers who are involved in the handling, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste, and to the surrounding communities for the following biomedical waste treatment technology categories or disposal methods:

     (a) Autoclaving;

     (b) Incineration;

     (c) Electrothermal deactivation systems;

     (d) Microwaving;

     (e) Chemical deactivation; and

     (f) Disposal of untreated medical waste in approved solid waste landfills.

     (2) The study shall estimate the quantity of biomedical waste that is generated in the state, is transported into the state from other states and other countries, and shall characterize whether the biomedical waste is treated before disposal.

     (3) The study shall include conclusions from two related studies, including the 1993 study conducted by the United States environmental protection agency and the 1997 study conducted by the national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH).

     (4) The University of Washington shall submit a final report of its findings to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the University of Washington for the purposes of this act.

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