Environmental Requirements

Hospitals are subject to a myriad of environmental requirements to protect public health and the environment from the waste generated from their activities.  Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that many hospitals are not complying with these requirements. As a result, EPA Region 2 developed this site to provide links to available checklists, guidance documents, websites, hotlines, and other compliance assistance tools that were developed to help you comply with federal environmental requirements.  Please remember, however, that state and local governments may have stricter regulations than the federal government. Thus, for information on any applicable state and local environmental requirements, contact your state/local environmental agencies. 

* only applies to Federal Medical Facilities

General (Multi-Statute)

Compliance Assistance Center - EPA has sponsored partnerships with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other agencies to launch sector-specific Compliance Assistance Centers. Each Center addresses real world issues in language that speaks to the regulated entities. Through Internet Web sites, telephone assistance lines, fax- back systems, and e-mail discussion groups, the Centers are helping businesses, local governments, and federal facilities understand federal environmental requirements and save money through pollution prevention techniques.

EPA's Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse is your guide to compliance information on the Internet.  It  provides quick access to compliance tools, contacts, and planned activities from across EPA as well as other compliance assistance providers. 

e-CFR is a searchable Internet-based database of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive Federal law that regulates air emissions from area, stationary, and mobile sources. This law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment.  It also established programs to address smog, acid rain, stratospheric ozone protection, and air toxics.  Federal CAA regulations are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Part 50-99.  For the most part, an air inspector will primarily be interested in four areas of a hospital: air conditioning and refrigeration, boilers, medical waste incinerators, and asbestos. Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help you comply with these regulations:

EPA Region 2's Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Website provides information and guidance documents to help facilities comply with the refrigerant recycling regulations under EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program.

EPA's Asbestos Web site provides information and resources to help facilities comply with the asbestos regulations under the Clean Air Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

EPA's Airtoxics Website: Rule/Implementation Info for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators provides information regarding EPA's hazardous air pollutant (HAP) regulations for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators.

EPA's Airtoxics Website: Rule/Implementation Info for Industrial/ Commercial/Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters provides information regarding EPA's proposed HAP regulations for industrial/commercial/ institutional boilers and process heaters. Since the rule (as proposed) only applies to major sources (i.e., those that emit at least 10 tons per year of a specific HAP or a combined total of 25 tons per year of all HAPs), most medical facilities will be exempt from the regulations.  However, please remember that medical facilities that are co-located with other HAP-emitting facilities, such as on military bases or college/university campuses, could be subject to the new standards if the "site" as a whole meets the definition of major.

Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary Federal Statutes regulating the protection of the nation's waters. The CWA established national programs for prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution in navigable water and groundwater, including a water quality standards program, a permit program for discharge and treatment of wastewater and stormwater, and an oil pollution prevention program.  Federal CWA regulations are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Parts 100-136, 140 , 230-233, 401-471, and 501-503.  Water inspectors will primarily be concerned with three areas of your hospital: your wastewater discharges, your stormwater discharges, and any aboveground or underground oil storage containers that you may have. Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations: 

EPA's NPDES Web site provides technical and regulatory information about the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program which controls water pollution by regulating point sources (e.g. pipe, ditch) that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Please note that the stormwater program is part of the NPDES program and is designed to to prevent the discharge of contaminated stormwater into navigable waters.

EPA's Oil Spill Program Website provides information about the U.S. EPA's program for preventing, preparing for, and responding to oil spills that occur in and around inland waters of the United States.

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act 

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA), also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), requires States to establish a process for developing local chemical emergency preparedness programs and to receive and disseminate information on hazardous chemicals present at facilities within local communities. EPCRA also requires EPA to establish a publicly available toxic chemical release inventory consisting of facility-specific chemical release and waste management information. The implementing regulations for EPCRA are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in 40 CFR Parts 302 , 355 , 370 , and  372 . Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations:

EPA's Toxic Release Inventory Web site provides a description of what TRI is, how TRI data can be accessed and used, and downloadable copies of TRI forms, reporting instructions, and guidance documents. Please note only Federal medical Facilities are subject to TRI regulations.

EPA RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA Call Center is a publicly accessible service that provides up-to-date information on several EPA programs and responds to requests for relevant publications and information resources

Chemical Emergency Preparedness Prevention Office Home Page  lists relevant fact sheets, regulations, and guidance documents relating to the EPCRA emergency planning, emergency release notification, and hazardous chemical inventory reporting requirements.

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (PDF-358K) was developed by EPA to provide guidance to regulated entities conducting a review of facility conditions to determine their compliance with EPCRA.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and  Rodenticide Act

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates the sale and use of pesticides in the United States. Before a pesticide can be sold or distributed in the United States, FIFRA requires that registration be obtained from EPA. When making a registration decision, EPA attempts to determine from scientific studies that the pesticide, when used in accordance with label directions, will not cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment. The prime duty of the user is to comply with all use instructions on the pesticide label or accompanying labeling. Failure to follow label directions is dangerous and illegal.  Federal pesticide regulations are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Parts 150-189. Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations:

EPA's Office of Pesticides Programs Home Page provides information and resources to help facilities comply with regulations regarding pesticide use and implement safer means of pest control. 

National Pesticides Information Center (NPIC) is a cooperative effort of Oregon State University and the US Environmental Protection Agency. NPIC provides objective, science-based information about a variety of pesticide-related subjects, including pesticide products, recognition and management of pesticide poisonings, toxicology, and environmental chemistry. NPIC also lists state pesticide regulatory agencies, and provides links to their Web sites. 

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (PDF-572K) was developed by EPA to provide guidance to regulated entities conducting a review of facility conditions to determine their compliance with FIFRA.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) provides "cradle-to-grave" control of solid and hazardous waste by establishing management requirements on generators and transporters of hazardous waste and on owners and operators of hazardous waste  treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.  Federal RCRA regulations are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Parts 240-282.  Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations:

EPA Region 2's Waste Program Website provides information and documents to help facilities comply with RCRA

RCRA On-line is designed to enable users to locate documents, including publications and other outreach materials, that cover a wide range of RCRA issues and topics.

EPA RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA Call Center is a publicly accessible service that provides up-to-date information on several EPA programs and responds to requests for relevant publications and information resources

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits of Used Oil and Universal Waste Generators under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PDF-1.4MB) 

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits of Storage Tanks under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PDF-844K) 

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits of Hazardous Waste Generators under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PDF-726K)

Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits of Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PDF-986K)

Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) protects public drinking water systems from harmful contaminants and underground sources of drinking water from improper underground injection. It does this by directing EPA to set maximum contaminant levels for public water supply systems, establishing underground injection control and sole-source aquifer/wellhead protection programs, and prohibiting the use of lead pipes, solder, or flux in the installation and repair of any public water systems or any plumbing in a residential or nonresidential facility providing water for human consumption. Regulations addressing SDWA are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Parts 141-149. Safe Drinking Water Inspectors will primarily be concerned with any underground injection control wells at your hospital.  Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations:

Safe Drinking Water Hotline provides up-to-date information on recently promulgated standards and regulations that have appeared in the Federal Register and answers questions concerning SDWA.

EPA Region 2's Drinking Water Homepage provides information on the various programs in Region 2 that are designed to protect drinking water.

EPA Region 2's Groundwater Homepage provides information on the various programs in Region 2 that are designed to protect groundwater.

EPA's Groundwater and Drinking Water Web site provides information and resources that help facilities ensure safe drinking water and protect ground water

Toxic Substances Control Act

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) protects human health and the environment by requiring the testing of certain potentially hazardous chemicals and establishing regulations that restrict the manufacturing, processing, and use of such chemicals. TSCA inspectors will primarily be interested in any PCBs and Lead-Based Paint at your hospital.  TSCA regulations are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Parts 700-799, with Part 745 detailing lead hazard reduction regulations and Part 761 detailing management requirements for PCBs. Below are several compliance assistance tools that can help medical facilities comply with these regulations:

TSCA Hotline provides up-to-date technical assistance and information about programs implemented under TSCA, the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act, the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, and the Pollution Prevention Act. In addition, the Hotline provides a variety of documents, including Federal Register notices, reports, brochures, and booklets. The Hotline is a free service available to public citizens, State and local governments. Federal agencies, environmental and public interest groups, and Congressional members and staff. To contact the Hotline call (202) 554-1404 or E-mail tsca-hotline@epa.gov  

The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) provides the general public and professionals with information about lead hazards and their prevention. NLIC operates under a contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with funding from EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EPA's Lead Program Homepage provides information and documents on how to comply with EPA's lead regulations and reduce residential lead hazards. 

EPA's Asbestos Web site provides information and resources to help facilities comply with the asbestos regulations under the Clean Air Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

EPA's PCB homepage provides information on the Federal program for regulating Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).