The future of medical waste regulation: simplicity and consistency as goals.

There are some favorable signs. At this time of federal budget constraints, the EPA is tightening its belt. EPA's Science Advisory Council recognizes these fundamental constraints and urges the agency to consider relative risks to public health and the environment in establishing regulatory priorities. If Congress and EPA follow this informed advice, and consider honestly where medical waste fits into the spectrum of environmental risks, there is at least a chance that they could come up with a simple system--just enough to satisfy public opinion, but not enough to keep people from solving the problem.