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Information for Hospitals
United States Environmental Protection Agency is informing hospitals about their responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations.
EPA, Mid-Atlantic Region has conducted two compliance workshops – hosted by the Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh and hosted by the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
EPA, Mid-Atlantic Region, has developed a List of Questions to help hospitals determine if they are meeting their legal obligations in the environmental realm and identify possible environmental issues associated with the management operations of the facilities on site. Environmental problems include improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste materials; boilers and furnaces that are not in compliance with clean air regulations; inadequate monitoring of underground storage tanks; sewage treatment facilities that are not operating properly; and improper abatement of lead-based paint and asbestos.
The EPA offers a wide variety of compliance assistance resources and tools designed to assist facilities in complying with federal and state environmental laws. These resources can help facilities understand their obligations, improve compliance and find cost-effective ways to comply through the use of pollution prevention and other innovative technologies. Most of the information applies to all types of facilities, but a few are geared toward hospitals. You may want to bookmark or have some of the following links and phone numbers added to your website for future reference.
EPA Websites
EPA offers a great deal of compliance assistance and other environmental information and materials on the following Websites:
The Energy Star Program's fact sheet for Higher Education is on the Energy Star Buildings website. Facilities can "Join the Partnership". Case studies are available by clicking on Success Stories under Participants.
Other Websites
Hospitals
for a Healthy Environment  |
| Healthcare
Without Harm |
| Occupational
Safety and Health Administration's Hospital eTool |
| Sustainable
Hospitals |
| EnviRN
- resource for environmental health and nursing |
Hotlines
EPA sponsors approximately 89 hotlines and clearinghouses that provide free and convenient avenues to obtain assistance with environmental requirements. Key hotlines that may be of interest to you include:
| RCRA/UST/CERCLA Hotline | (800) 424-9346 |
| Toxics Substances and Asbestos Information | (202) 554-1404 |
| Safe Drinking Water | (800) 426-4791 |
| Stratospheric Ozone/CFC Information | (800) 296-1996 |
| Clean Air Technical Center | (919) 541-0800 |
| Wetlands Hotline | (800) 832-7828 |
Compliance Assistance Centers
EPA has established national compliance assistance centers, in partnership with industry, academic institutions, and other federal and state agencies, that provide on-line and fax back assistance services in the following sectors which also may apply to multifaceted facilities.
| Access to All Centers |
| Agriculture (1-888-633-2155) |
| Automotive (1-888-GRN-LINK) |
| Chemical
Industry (1-800-672-6048) |
| Metal
Finishing (1-800-AT-NMFRC) |
| Local
Governments (1-877-TO-LGEAN) |
| Paints
and Coatings Center |
| Printing (1-888-USPNEAC) |
| Printed
Wiring Board Manufacturing |
| Transportation
Industry |
State Agencies
Many state agencies have established compliance assistance programs that provide on- site as well as other types of assistance. Please contact your local state environmental agency for more information. EPA's Small Business Ombudsman can provide you with State Agency contacts by calling 800-368-5888 nationally or 800-228-8711 in the Mid-Atlantic area.
Compliance Policies
EPA’s Compliance
Incentives for Small Business Policy and Small
Communities Policy are intended to promote environmental compliance
among small businesses by providing incentives such as penalty waivers
and reductions for participation in compliance assistance programs, and
encouraging voluntary disclosure and prompt correction of violations.
These policies can not be applied to an enforcement action that has already
been initiated. Contact Ginger Gotliffe (202-564-2310) for information
on the Small Business Policy and Ken Harmon (202-564-2310) for information
on the Small Communities Policy.
Additional Information
- Contact Betty Barnes (barnes.betty@epa.gov) at 215-814-3447.
- Public Information Hotline - 800-438-2474
- Business Assistance Hotline - 800-228-8711