Publication Date
2006
Abstract
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina brought to the nation's attention the dangers of disease from unmanaged hazardous medical waste. Congress recognized this concern long ago when it passed the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA), but since this program expired in the early 1990s, little of consequence has been done to regulate medical waste on the federal level. It is now time for a uniform federal system of medical waste regulation-one which (1) specifies minimum standards for handling, disposal, and treatment; (2) calls for nationwide tracking; (3) creates a regulatory framework for individual sources of medical waste; and (4) imposes civil and criminal liability for individuals who violate medical waste regulations. If we cannot muster the political will to tackle medical waste regulation today, the problem will only grow larger tomorrow.
Recommended Citation
Deliganis, Chryssa V. and Calandrillo, Steve P.
(2006)
"Syringes in the Sea: Why Federal Regulation of Medical Waste Is Long Overdue,"
Georgia Law Review: Vol. 41:
No.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/glr/vol41/iss1/7