EPA rules and risk exposure go hand in hand
Change is one of the few constants in your job. Now environment risk management - managing exposures of incinerators, wastewater treatment facilities, and waste disposal - is added to your growing list of concerns. A recently announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule will require subacute hospitals and other health care facilities to trim emissions from medical waste incinerators. Fines will be imposed for noncompliance. Hospitals face special disposal problems with infectious waste, radioactive materials, and underground storage tanks. Excessive incineration of plastic bags, petri dishes, and tubing cause the release of significant levels of dioxins and hydrocarbons. The regulation aims to cut mercury emissions by 94% and dioxins by 95%; lead and carbon monoxide are expected to be reduced by 75% to 98%. You may want to look into an environmental insurance policy such as the Pollution and Remediation Legal Liability policy which provides coverage against third-party claims of sudden and gradual pollution conditions and includes coverage for cleanup costs and legal defense. The best approach, say industry experts, is to assess risks on an ongoing basis and develop programs dealing with emissions monitoring and employee training. Maintaining a constant state of preparedness allows hospitals to quickly and cost-effectively deal with incidents when they happen. See http://www.ecsinc.com on the Internet for more information.
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