New York Methodist Hospital Charged with Improper Medical Waste Disposal

has been charged with the improper disposal and containment of medical waste, according to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

In March 2011, a truck carrying regulated medical waste overturned near the exit ramp of the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey, spilling waste onto the road. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey traced the materials back to New York Methodist Hospital, and a criminal investigation was launched.

For the next three months, until May, investigators from the D.A.’s office witnessed additional violations of state environmental laws at the hospital. Also, last May, workers at a solid waste transfer station in Brooklyn, not licensed to handle regulated medical waste, discovered a bag of it in their facility, so they contacted the D.A.’s office.

The hospital has agreed to pay restitution and clean-up expenses, and in addition, will overhaul its waste management procedures to make sure they are in compliance with environmental regulations.

“I am thankful that Methodist Hospital has agreed to take responsibility for these serious incidents and to take the necessary steps to protect the community and the environment from such irresponsible mishaps in the future,” said District Attorney Charles Hynes, in a statement. “I would also like to thank the numerous city and state agencies that helped my office in this investigation.”