Both the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have responsibilities under this program.
There are over 360 facilities which generate, transport and/or store biomedical waste within Martin County which are permitted and inspected by the Martin County Health Department. These include the hospitals, medical and dental offices, home health establishments, body piercing establishments, tattoo and permanent make-up establishments, crime scene clean-up businesses and funeral homes, just to mention a few. All establishments which generate, transport, store and/or treat biomedical waste are required to have a Florida Department of Health permit or registration.
How do I find out if I need a biomedical waste permit?
If your business will generate sharps (needles, syringes, lancets, scalpel blades, tattoo needles, etc.) or other types of biomedical waste, you will require a biomedical waste permit. Most medical and dental offices will require a biomedical waste permit for the first year of operation. Telephone the Health Department (772-221-4090) and ask to speak with an inspector who will be able to make a determination for your specific business.
Applications can be downloaded from the Download Files section of this website:
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/biomedical/index.html
Can I get an exemption?
Yes, biomedical waste generators who produce or treat less than 25 pounds of biomedical waste in each 30 day period are eligible for an exemption from the permit and fee but must still comply with the laws governing biomedical waste. Typically, exemptions are not granted until the establishment has been in business for at least 12 months and has established a written record of the amount of waste generated each 30 day period.
Where can I see inspection results?
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata
Where can I find more information, including the laws governing biomedical waste in Florida?
Florida Department of Health:
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/biomedical/index.html
Florida Statutes Chapter 381.0098 Regulation of Biomedical Waste:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2010/381.0098
Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-16, Biomedical Waste:
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/biomedical/pdfs/64E16_1.pdf
Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us
Contact Information:
Phone: 772-221-4090 Fax: 772-221-4967
Email Contacts:
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Martin County Health Department: DLCHD43WebFeedback@doh.state.fl.us