medical waste regulations

Medical waste regulations are designed to ensure the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of waste generated by healthcare activities. This waste includes sharps, contaminated materials, and chemicals that could pose infection or injury risks. Regulations require healthcare facilities to identify, separate, and properly containerize different waste types, often using color-coded systems. They also mandate specific treatment methods, such as incineration or autoclaving, to kill pathogens before disposal. The goal is to protect public health, workers, and the environment from exposure to harmful medical materials while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws.