The Definitive Guide to Safely Disposing of Biohazardous Materials

Biohazardous materials must be handled with extreme caution and disposed of properly to ensure the safety of everyone. In this article, we'll discuss the best practices for disposing of biohazardous materials, including liquids, solids, and treated liquid waste.

Absorbing Liquids

All liquids must be absorbed in a solid medium before being placed in garbage containers or disposed of through the sanitary sewer. This is an important step to ensure that the liquid does not leak out and cause a hazardous situation.

Wear a lab coat, gloves, and anti-splash goggles (or safety glasses with face protection) when emptying waste into the drain. Take care to minimize the generation of “splashes” and rinse the sink thoroughly after discharging the waste.

Biohazardous Liquid Waste

Biologically hazardous liquid waste includes all blood and liquid waste from humans or animals, as well as all other biohazardous liquid waste (such as microbial cultures). Tie the necks of the bags with a single knot and place them in red biohazardous waste collection containers with the biohazard symbol, collected by EH&S-EMF at building collection sites.

Close it and seal it with adhesive tape when you're ready to dispose of it. At a minimum, all biohazardous waste must be labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the word “Biological hazard”.

Steam Autoclave

Laboratory workers who process biohazardous waste in a steam autoclave should receive appropriate biosafety training and follow the procedures described in the Biohazardous Waste Disposal Plan. This is an important step to ensure that all safety protocols are followed and that no hazardous materials are released into the environment.

ConclusionProper disposal of biohazardous materials is essential for protecting public health and safety. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that all biohazardous materials are disposed of safely and securely.