ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of waste management concepts, the risks posed by infectious and medical wastes, and the objectives of waste management. Institutions generating infectious and medical waste have found its management to be an intractable problem. The business officer, institutional attorney, and risk manager of a medical facility will gain a perspective on the risks of medical wastes and the purpose of waste management. It is critical that institutional administrators and waste managers incorporate complete understanding of the risks of infectious and medical wastes into their institution's management plan. Occupational risk has long been identified as the most serious hazard of infectious and medical waste. Environmental risks include the possibility of a release of waste to groundwater, surface water, or air. Waste treatment methods carry significant environmental risks. The scope of legal liability associated with waste management is enormous, and includes both occupational and environmental laws. Waste management—its needed staffing, supplies, and facilities—should be included in that planning.
