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Laboratory personnel are responsible for developing protocols for identifying, segregating, decontaminating, and properly packaging and disposing of biohazardous waste. Biohazardous waste (except sharps collectors) must be autoclaved within 14 days from the first generation of the waste. Sharps collectors must be autoclaved when filled.
Steam sterilization of solid waste using an autoclave
This is the most commonly used method of decontaminating biological waste. Many departments engaged in biological research operate autoclaves for this use. Seattle-King County regulations require that recordkeeping, training, and quality control checks be performed to assure adequate sterilization conditions. A biological indicator must be run monthly and the chemical integrator Thermalog-S must be run on every decontamination cycle. Refer to our autoclave site for further information regarding autoclave use, maintenance, training, and recordkeeping.
We recommend the following time and temperature parameters for decontamination waste:
| Bagged Waste | 132o C (273o F) for 1 hour |
| Laundry | 121o C (250o F) for 30 minutes |
| Liquids | 121o C (250o F) for 1 hour per gallon |
| Sharps Collectors | 132o C (273o F) for 1.5 hours |
Incineration
Human pathological waste, non-human primate pathological waste, animal carcasses and animal parts must never be disposed of in the general waste stream. To arrange for disposal of human pathological waste contact the Autopsy Coordinator at UWMC. For non-human primate waste contact the colony manager at Regional Primate Center. For other vivarium animal waste contact Comparative Medicine. Disposal arrangements should be made BEFORE animal products are obtained from sources outside the University.
Treatment of liquid wastes
Liquid wastes must not be disposed of as solid waste. Human and non-human primate blood, blood products and other free-flowing body fluids must be treated prior to disposal in the sewer system. Small amounts of these fluids can be treated by the addition of chlorine bleach to equal a final concentration of 10% bleach. The solution must "sit overnight" prior to disposal in the sewer. Alternatively, one could autoclave the fluid and dispose of it to the sewer. Prior to disposing of these wastes in 10 liter or greater volumes, contact Environmental Health and Safety at 206.543.7278.
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The following materials are defined as biohazardous (biomedical) waste:
- Human and animal blood and blood products.
- Cultures and stocks of etiologic agents and associated biologicals.
- Laboratory waste that has come in contact with a biohazard as listed in 1. and 2. above. This includes but is not limited to culture dishes, blood specimen tubes, devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures, and other materials which have come in contact with biohazards. (including disposable personal protective equipment and clothing).
- Sharps.
- Animal waste, animal carcasses and body parts.
- Human pathological waste.
Drugs are not biohazardous waste.
- Unused or expired drugs may be returned to Drug Services, UWMC Pharmacy. You can reach them at 206.598.6058 or drugsvcs@u.washington.edu
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- Sharps are contained in leakproof, rigid, puncture-resistant, durable plastic containers. These containers are red in color and equipped with a tight-fitting lid for use during handling and transport. (Refer to Section IV. Part C. 4 for additional information on sharps.)
- Free flowing liquid waste is contained in leakproof, rigid durable containers. This container shall contain chlorine bleach (or other suitable chemical disinfectant) and shall be labeled with the biohazard symbol and the word "biohazard". These containers are closed during handling and transport and placed within leakproof containers for handling or transport.
- Solid biohazardous waste is collected in plastic waste bags which must be contained inside a rigid container. This outer container must be labeled or clearly display the bag's biohazard symbol. If this outer rigid container is reusable it must be decontaminated after the biohazard bag is removed. A polypropylene bin can be used to hold biohazardous waste bags and can be placed into the autoclave with the waste bags. A rubber band is the recommended closure device. Bags should be closed, covered, or contained in a cabinet or refrigerator at the close of each work day to minimize the possibility of exposure to firemen or other emergency crews.
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Bagged waste
Autoclave tape should be used on biohazard bags to show that the waste has been treated. Bagged waste can be placed in the regular waste container for the laboratory.
Bagged waste that contains glassware or hard plastic pipettes should be packaged in a cardboard box and labeled with "LABORATORY GLASSWARE" tape. Bagged waste and boxes of LABORATORY GLASSWARE can be placed in the regular waste container for the laboratory.
Should be labeled with the Principal Investigator's name and the room number. In Magnuson Health Sciences Building sterilized sharps collectors can be placed alongside (not inside) the regular waste container for the laboratory. Custodial Services is responsible for pickup and disposal. In all other locations, sharps collectors must be disposed of by the University's biomedical waste contractor. Contact Property and Transport Services (206.685.1522) to set up an account for pickup and disposal of filled sharps collectors.
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