The significant impact of EPA fines was felt most recently by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which was cited January 27, 2004 for hazardous waste violations. EPA Region 2 is seeking $214,420 in fines for violations found during an inspection in March, 2003 which included improper storage and disposal of chemotherapy drugs.

“Hospitals and healthcare facilities must consider the proper handling of hazardous waste an integral part of their mandates to protect people's health," said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. "Chemotherapy waste is an especially toxic waste produced by many medical facilities. Hazardous waste regulations are in place to help to ensure that facilities like Sloan-Kettering do not release these or other toxic chemicals into the environment.”

Additional information on Memorial Sloan Kettering and EPA Region 2 initiatives can be found on EPA's site at Sloan-Kettering Fined for Failure to Properly Manage Hazardous Waste .