Medical Waste Management

Overview

Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (DEH), the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is responsible for implementing the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA) Health and Safety Code 117600-118360.

Alameda County DEH ensures the protection of the public health and the environment from potentially infectious causing agents through the implementation and enforcement of medical waste regulations that apply to the handling, storage, treatment and disposal of medical wastes.

This program regulates generators of medical waste such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and doctor, dentist and veterinarian offices. DEH inspects medical waste facilities with on-site medical waste treatment units and common storage areas.

For information on whether your business requires a permit as a medical waste generator of if you have questions about the MWMA, please contact us at (510) 567-6790.

News and Overview

Impacts of Assembly Bill (AB) 333 on the Medical Waste Management Program On September 25, 2014, Assembly Bill 333 (AB 333) was signed by the Governor. AB 333 amends multiple sections of the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). As of January 1, 2015, medical waste facilities are required to notify Alameda County DEH of their participation in temporary medical-waste generating events, such as flu clinics, health fairs, and veteran stand down events. Additionally, DEH will no longer issue Limited Quantity Hauling Exemptions (LQHE). A Small Quantity Generator (SQG), Large Quantity Generator (LQG) or parent organization that employs health care professionals who generate medical waste may transport in limited quantities up to 35.2 pounds of medical wastes to the central location of accumulation under the Materials of Trade Exemption contained in Section 173.6 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. There is no requirement to register with DEH for the Materials of Trade Exemption. However, facilities are still required to register as a Small Quantity or Large Quantity Medical Waste Generator. 

For more information on AB 333, please see the links below: 

Regulations and Ordinances

County of Alameda Environmental Health Department

Office of Solid/Medical Waste Management & Body Art Programs

  • 1131 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502-6577
  • (510) 567-6790
  • dehwebmain@acgov.org

© 2016 Office of Solid/Medical Waste Management & Body Art Programs. All rights reserved.


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