Joyce,

Our institution saw so much savings from not having to haul away the waste
that I was able to get (just by asking) the Enviromental Health and
Saftey Department share the costs in getting started. They saw the cost
savings while providing safe disposal in a different method.  They are
very helpful and supportive.  It seems so many posts on here indicate
non-team efforts.  :(

The neutralizing of formalin is up to the EPA and if presented with facts,
perhaps they will buy into it. (testing proof from the company you are
purchasing the agent from may be helpful)  To my knowledge there are only
2 companies that have spent the time and money to obtain sanction of their 
formalin neutralizing agents. (don't ask me for the companies, ask each
one you are considering)  I'm not into being "bashed"  *grin* 

Maybe another call to them, speaking to another person, not during a full
moon, will get you the results you desire. :) Perhaps the vendor of the
neutralizing agent can speak to them on your behalf.  

Good Luck,
Don  
PS  I must say, I am blessed with a EH&S department that runs on fact,
does good studies and can speak to the issues.  They are also concerned
about the cost factor in providing healthcare, healthcare workers safety, 
and the public safety.

                                              
                                             
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don Hammer, Administrative Director            UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 
Hospital Pathology, Box 356100                     MEDICAL CENTER
1995 NE Pacific St.                                
Seattle Washington, 98195                  ~Where Knowledge Comes To Life~ 
(206) 548-6401 Fax: (206) 548-4928         
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 JWard26003@aol.com wrote:

> Don,
>     I agree it will be cheaper in the long run to use the pump & filter.  I
> need to convince my Safety officer to let us do this.  The safety person
> called the EPA to ask about neutralizing formalin because our sister hospital
> didn't like the idea of dumping the neutralized waste down the drain.  The EPA
> guy said we were not licensed to neutralize.  Now every waste product must be
> shipped out...this is crazy!
>