 
      
Requirements for the
Storage and Treatment of Biohazardous Waste
State regulations (DPH Regulations, 105 CMR) set forth the requirements
for the storage and disposal of infectious or physically dangerous medical
or biological waste. The following types of waste are defined as infectious
or physically dangerous medical or biological waste:
- Blood or blood products
- Pathological waste
- Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals
- Contaminated animal carcasses / body parts and bedding
- Sharps
- Biotechnological by-product effluents
Procedures for the safe handling and disposal of the above listed wastes:
Sharps
Place sharps in puncture-proof, leakproof "Sharps Container" labeled
with the biohazard symbol available from EH&S.
Other Infectious Waste
- Store infectious waste in a leakproof and covered container that
is labeled with a "Biohazard" sticker.
- Disinfect using steam sterilization or an appropriate chemical
disinfectant that will kill the target organism.
- Record data for each load rendered non-infectious by steam sterilization.
- Periodically test autoclave using biological spores test and
record results.
- EH&S will periodically check records.
- To dispose of infectious waste that has been treated by steam
sterilization:
- Pour liquids down the drain.
- Place semi-solid materials in a plastic bag and other solid
materials with regular trash.
- Remove or cover all "Biohazard" labeling.
- Bag and dispose in a regular trash receptacle.
- All glass in "Glass Only" container
- All sharps in "Sharps" container
- If steam sterilization or chemical disinfection is not being
used, biohazardous waste must be incinerated (call EH&S).
For more information about the storage and treatment of biohazardous
wastes, refer to "Waste Management at UMASS" and 105 CMR 480.
This information was compiled and created by Val
Steinberg and David Gillum
at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at the University
of Massachusetts - Amherst.
|
