SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6264

BYSenators Metcalf, Kreidler, Smith and Anderson

Requiring a report on the management of infectious wastes.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 14, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6264 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman, Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  January 21, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, JANUARY 20, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Infectious wastes are generally defined as those capable of producing an infectious disease.  Health officials are devoting increasing attention to the public health risks associated with the management and disposal of wastes which may contain infectious waste.  The sources of such waste are potentially as broad as the entire waste stream, including wastes originating in households and those generated by many commercial and institutional facilities.  Considerable uncertainty exists within the public health community of the magnitude and specific sources of the risks associated with infectious waste.

The State Board of Health is authorized to adopt regulations for the prevention of health hazards related to solid and liquid waste disposal, and for the prevention of infectious diseases. The Board has adopted regulations requiring hospitals to properly handle and dispose of infectious wastes, but has not adopted regulations regarding infectious wastes which pertain to other sectors of the waste stream.  The Department of Ecology is authorized to and has adopted standards for solid waste management and disposal.  The Department of Ecology has not adopted regulations specific to the handling and disposal of infectious wastes.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature makes several findings regarding infectious wastes, including the inadequacy of existing risk assessments, the diversity of waste streams within which infectious wastes may be included, and the public interest needs regarding an assessment of the risks and necessary state action.  The Department of Ecology is directed to prepare and transmit to the Legislature by January 1, 1989 a report that contains an assessment of the risks to public health due to infectious waste, including identification of those diseases presenting the greatest risks, and those waste streams having the highest risks.

The report is also to contain a review of existing infectious waste management practices and regulatory programs, a review of preferred management practices, including waste reduction and disinfection on-site, and recommendations for necessary legislation and appropriations.

The report is to be prepared with the assistance of the Department of Social and Health Services, which shall be primarily responsible for an assessment of health care facilities and the environmental transmission of infectious agents in solid, liquid or airborne wastes.  An appropriation to the Departments of Ecology and Social and Health Services is included, but the amounts are unspecified.  The act expires January 1, 1989.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The deadline for the report is extended to January 1, 1990 and the appropriation is deleted.  A cost analysis must be prepared for elements of the report reviewing local government waste management practices.  The state agencies shall consult with local health departments and others in preparing the report.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 7, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Earl Tower, Department of Ecology; Robb Menaul, Washington State Hospital Association; Eric Slagle, Department of Social and Health Services - Environmental Health; Jim Williams, Association of Counties