Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (DEH), the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) for the California
Department of Public Health CDPH), is responsible for implementing the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA) Health
and Safety Code 117600-118360.
Alameda County DEH ensures the protection of the public health and the environment from potentially infectious
causing agents through the implementation and enforcement of medical waste regulations that apply to the handling,
storage, treatment and disposal of medical wastes.
This program regulates generators of medical waste such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and doctor,
dentist and veterinarian offices. DEH inspects medical waste facilities with on-site medical waste treatment
units and common storage areas.
For information on whether your business requires a permit as a medical waste generator of if you have questions
about the MWMA, please contact us at (510) 567-6790.
NEWS AND INFORMATION
Impacts of Assembly Bill (AB) 333 on the Medical Waste Management Program On September 25, 2014, Assembly Bill 333 (AB 333) was signed by the Governor. AB 333 amends multiple sections
of the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). As of January 1, 2015, medical waste facilities are required to
notify Alameda County DEH of their participation in temporary medical-waste generating events, such as flu
clinics, health fairs, and veteran stand down events. Additionally, DEH will no longer issue Limited Quantity
Hauling Exemptions (LQHE). A Small Quantity Generator (SQG), Large Quantity Generator (LQG) or parent organization
that employs health care professionals who generate medical waste may transport in limited quantities up to
35.2 pounds of medical wastes to the central location of accumulation under the Materials of Trade Exemption
contained in Section 173.6 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. There is no requirement to register
with DEH for the Materials of Trade Exemption. However, facilities are still required to register as a Small
Quantity or Large Quantity Medical Waste Generator.
For more information on AB 333, please see the links below:
