Managing biohazard waste is a fundamental issue for hospitals and labs. It is also an essential topic for the public as it can cause severe injury or illness if improperly handled and disposed of.
Any trash polluted with blood, bodily fluids, or infectious agents is considered biohazardous and, if not handled appropriately, might be dangerous to human health or the environment. It includes culture and stock material, contaminated personal protective equipment, IV tubing, empty vials, and sharps waste.
Identification
Correctly identifying bio hazard waste is essential for proper handling and disposal. It includes knowing what type of waste you are dealing with, how it was produced, and what procedures must be followed to dispose of it safely.
Biohazard waste can include blood and body fluids, pathological waste such as tissues or animal limbs, bedding that may have been contaminated by blood or other infectious agents, and more. This material can pose serious safety issues for those who come in contact with it, the environment, and surrounding areas.
Wastes containing blood or other infectious materials usually are autoclaved before disposal. This process helps to ensure that the waste does not have bacteria or other infectious agents and can be disposed of as regular trash.
Segregation
The first step in correctly handling and disposing of biohazard waste is segregating the material into different categories. It is necessary to prevent the contaminated waste from leaking out during transportation or disposal.
The most common types of biohazard waste include microbiological wastes (such as cultures, disposable culture dishes, and discarded viruses) and pathological wastes. Federal, state, and local rules are very tight about collecting and disposing of these materials.
Unlike other kinds of waste, biohazard waste must be collected in containers specifically designed for the trash. These containers must be labeled accordingly, never mixed with other debris, and sent to specialized treatment facilities.
Collection
Regardless of the type of biohazard waste, it must be collected and transported appropriately. It must also be stored in a solid container to prevent it from escaping into the environment.
The following are examples of biohazard waste that must be collected and properly disposed of:
Tissue, organs, or portions of an animal removed after surgery or a biopsy; blood, blood products, and other body fluids in liquid or semi-liquid form. Medicated products such as antibiotics, sedatives, antifungals, and blood transfusions are all examples of biohazard waste that must be appropriately collected, segregated, and disposed of.
Sharps (needles, syringes, and lancets) are also considered biohazard waste. These items are typically autoclaved to sterilize them before disposal.
Transportation
You must follow transportation procedures, whether transporting biohazard waste to a disposal facility or taking it home for trash pick up. These include the use of vehicles designed for safe and secure transport.
The transportation and handling of hazardous waste must comply with local, state, and federal regulations. It includes obtaining the appropriate permits, keeping records, and fully informing employees and contractors of the nature of the waste being transported.
Biological waste can include blood or bodily fluids, culture media and solutions, syringes and sharps, infected clinical specimens, tissue from experimental animals, plant viruses, bacteria and fungi, toxins, and other materials that risk human health. Depending on its toxicity, the material may threaten plants, soil, and water. It can also cause catastrophic environmental pollution if improperly handled and disposed of.
Disposal
Biohazard waste is any contaminated material that can be hazardous to the health of employees or the environment. Many different things, including chemicals or sewage blockages, can be included.
The first step in ensuring proper handling and disposal is correctly identifying the type of waste and determining how it should be handled and disposed of. There are four general categories of biohazard waste based on its physical form.
Solid biohazard waste includes microbial agents, tissue culture, and contaminated material (Petri dishes, pipettes, gloves, towels, etc.). It must be collected in autoclavable bags marked with the universal biohazard symbol.
After autoclaving, solid biohazard waste can be disposed of as regular trash. Alternatively, it may be autoclaved again and then disinfected with a 10% bleach solution before disposal.
