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Biomedical Waste Program

Florida Department of Health in Lake County Environmental Health

In an effort to protect public health, the 1989 Florida legislature created section 381.0098, Florida Statutes (F.S.). This section sets forth standards for the safe packaging, transport, storage, treatment, and disposal of biomedical waste. Under the rule writing authority of section 381.0098, F.S., the department promulgated Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code, for implementation of the statutory requirements.

There are approximately 30,000 biomedical waste facilities in Florida including generators, transporters, and storage and treatment facilities. County Health Departments (CHDs) having jurisdiction for biomedical waste activities annually inspect and permit transporters, storage and treatment facilities, and generators who produce 25 pounds or more of biomedical waste in any 30-day period. Generators producing less than 25 pounds of biomedical waste in any 30-day period are exempt from permitting and the fee upon documentation of the amount of waste they produce. CHDs inspect exempt facilities once every three years.

Florida Department of Health Biomedical Waste Program Website