The methods required for managing infectious waste varies depending on the type of waste.
Pathological waste
Human tissue from surgery and lab procedures. Lab animals (does not include teeth.)
- Containment - Red bags
- Disposal - Incineration
Biological waste
Blood and other body fluids that cannot go directly into the sewer. Waste materials that are saturated (dripping) with bodily fluids (not including diapers soiled with urine or feces.)
- Containment - Red bags
- Disposal - Incineration or sterilization. (Liquids or soluble semi-solids - discharged into a sewer.)
Sharps
Needles, IV tubing with needles attached, scalpel blades, lancets, glass tubes and syringes out of their original sterile containers.
- Containment - Red bags which are puncture proof
- Disposal - either:
- Incineration or
- Sterilization or
- Disposal in a segregated area of a permitted landfill (if in red puncture- proof boxes)
Culture and stocks
Specimen cultures and dishes, serums, vaccines (exclude throat and urine cultures.)
- Containment - Red bags
- Disposal - Incineration or sterilization.