Almost every familiy physician in the US operates independently, either as a basic GP of with some particular specialty. Many off additional surgeries from minor to quite major treatments in their clinics.
The tempation to avoid paying for clinical waste disposal is high; though it hardly seems like a major expennse I suppose it is one that is most easily avoided. We might generally anticipate that these wastes might be hidden within domestic wastes, or simply wilfully misclassified, but there are a constant trickle of reports of these wastes being taken out and dumped, in fact so many reports that it seems to be quite the norm.
Regulators don’t seem to get on top of this, though I don’t suppose it is easy. Despite penalties being put in place, and in the US those penalties can sometimes be so large they seem to be somewhat out of proportion, the problem continues. Now New Jersey is tackling the problem head on.
“Doctors caught dumping medical waste off New Jersey’s beaches (whey not just dumping wastes, anywhere?) would have their medical licenses revoked under legislation unanimously approved in the state Assembly.
“Sponsored by Assemblymen Matt Milam, Nelson Albano and Lou Greenwald the bill would strip licenses from medical professionals and medical waste handling companies found guilty of violating the state’s medical waste anti-dumping laws.
“Knowingly and purposefully dumping medical waste off our beaches is irresponsible and just plain stupid,” said Milam (D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May). “Any doctor that would be so cavalier with the
public’s health and safety should automatically forfeit their right to practice in New Jersey.”
“The sponsors said they introduced the measure after several South Jersey beaches were forced to close before 2008 Labor Day weekend after illegally dumped medical waste washed ashore. As many as 225 syringes and other medical waste were found in Avalon – leading borough officials to close beaches four times. Syringes also washed ashore in Berkeley, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Brigantine
and Upper Township.
http://www.nj1015.com/NJ-Docs-Who-Dump-Medical-Waste-Face-License-Supsen/9802914
This new penalty would be in addition to existing penalties in place under the state’s “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” “Comprehensive Regulated Medical Waste Management Act,” “Water Pollution Control Act” and “Ocean Dumping Enforcement Act,” which can carry penalties of up to $200,000 in fines and 20 years imprisonment for the most serious offenses.
Indeed, the new penalty seems harsh but will surely make a difference. It will be a potent piece of legislation that should have a strong preventative effect. However, the need for such draconian measures point to the inadequacy of existing environmental and waste-related legislation that have no real impact on compliance.
Perhaps carrot is better than stick? Whatever the most effective appropach it seems clear that existing waste and environmental re