Canada

Ontario will phase out hospital incinerators

Ontario will phase out all hospital incinerators by Dec. 2003.

Ontario has passed a regulation to phase out hospital incinerators by December 2003.

Emissions from incinerators are the fourth-largest source of mercury, and the largest source of dioxins in the province.

Environment Minister Chris Stockwell says the new regulations will help improve Ontario's air quality.

He says closing hospital incinerators will also ensure wastes are treated by state-of-the-art technologies that provide better environmental protection.