Share this
a brief introduction to biohazard disposal in the US
by Neoteryx Microsampling on Feb 14, 2018 4:46:00 AM
While our business is focused on microsampling devices and solutions for easy blood sampling and processing, some of our customers in the science and medical fields have faced demanding and expensive challenges in storing whole blood. Blood, like any other biohazardous material, can pose significant difficulties with regard to its disposal.

Biohazard Waste Disposal
Biohazard waste, or hazardous waste, in the United States must go through a specific disposal cycle determined by guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also offers guidelines for the removal and treatment of biohazard waste that are implemented within the standards and practices of each state, center, university, facility, or organization.
Packaging, Classification and Storage
In research and medical settings where blood and other biological samples or waste occur, you must separate and discard non-hazardous material, such as general healthcare waste.
If you cannot avoid mixing non-hazardous and hazardous waste, everything is classified as hazardous and must be disposed of accordingly.
You also need to sort out needles and sharp objects and put them in puncture-proof, tamper-proof containers. It is essential that sharp object containers are not overfilled. Generally, containers should only be filled to 75% capacity.
For infectious waste, as well as small amounts of chemical and pharmaceutical waste, the guidelines require you to use leak-proof plastic bags or containers bearing the international infectious substance symbol.
Some guidelines indicate that you can also include low-level radioactive infectious waste if the waste is due for incineration.
Highly infectious waste must be sterilized using autoclaving (high temperatures and high pressures). The containers need to be strong enough to support the process.
Highly radioactive waste must be sealed in a labeled lead box that bears the international ionizing radiation symbol.
When the waste is in decay, the labeling must include the type of radionuclide, the date of packaging and required storage conditions.
If you are dealing with large quantities of chemical waste, you must collect it in a labeled container that can resist reaction with the chemicals it contains. Chemicals should never be mixed, and should ideally be sent to specialized treatment facilities. However, you need to store anything containing high levels of heavy metals (like cadmium and mercury) separately from other waste.
You need to place cytotoxic waste — waste that has a toxic effect on living cells — in clearly labeled, robust, and leak-proof containers. The containers must then be stored separately from any other biohazard waste.
Guidelines for Managing Waste Disposal
Regardless of the type of waste, all containers and bags should be appropriately labeled with the following information:
- Clear description of the waste
- Appropriate internationally recognized symbols
- Quantity of the waste by volume or weight
- Name of the generating facility or organization
- Date of the container’s production
As with sharp-object boxes, you should only fill waste bags to 75% capacity. All bags and containers should be sealed tightly (not stapled) and be ready for transport by suitable means to their end destination. When you need to transport waste internally for storage, the modes of transportation should be cleaned, disinfected and checked for sharp edges that could damage the waste containers.
Internal storage areas should be separate from areas used for other activities. Non-hazardous waste should not be stored for more than 48 hours in the summer and 72 hours in the winter, depending on the climate. Longer storage is permissible if the space is refrigerated. The flooring of the storage room needs to be impermeable, easy to clean and have excellent drainage.
Waste Collection and Transport
You need easy access to the storage facility for collection, as well as a plan for regular collection of waste with all precautions and transport arrangements in place. The company collecting the waste must meet local regulations, be duly registered, and have all required licenses and paperwork. The vehicles themselves should close and lock and be designed to reduce the risk of damage to the bags or containers. Staff should have suitable protective clothing and the necessary equipment to deal with spills or leaks.
Waste Treatment and Disposal
Biohazard waste is treated to eliminate, or at least reduce, the risks to people and the environment. Treatment must be carried out by a registered company and follow set procedures to ensure there are no adverse effects. Once treated, waste can be transported to a landfill.
There are several ways in which biohazard waste can be treated.
One of the most common is through incineration, which involves exposing the waste to temperatures that are high enough to kill any organic substances that may be found in the waste. That includes viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. The waste is usually converted into ash and gas, and this often needs to be cleansed further before it can be considered harmless and be released.
Autoclaving can also be used to treat biohazard waste. This process uses a chamber that is steam-heated and highly pressurized to sterilize the waste. When used on plastic, the waste can be entirely melted down and completely free of pathogens.
Bleach is also used to disinfect biohazard waste, particularly chlorine-containing compounds. The chemicals in bleach (hydroxy peroxide) start a redox chemical reaction in the chemicals in the waste, rendering the waste non-hazardous (the process is called dichlorination).
Finally, the process of alkaline hydrolysis (more commonly known as biocremation or resomation) can be used. The process is generally carried out by funeral homes as an alternative to cremation or burial. It reduces the emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants found in more traditional processes.
Related reading can be found in our Microsampling Blog. To learn more about how microsampling is applied in different industries, please visit our resource page on Microsampling Applications:
Image Credits: Shutterstock, iStock, Trajan, Neoteryx
Share this
- Microsampling (206)
- Research, Remote Research (119)
- Venipuncture Alternative (106)
- Clinical Trials, Clinical Research (83)
- Mitra® Device (74)
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, TDM (51)
- Dried Blood Spot, DBS (38)
- Biomonitoring, Health, Wellness (31)
- Infectious Disease, Vaccines, COVID-19 (24)
- Blood Microsampling, Serology (22)
- Decentralized Clinical Trial (DCT) (22)
- Omics, Multi-Omics (20)
- Specimen Collection (17)
- Toxicology, Doping, Drug/Alcohol Monitoring, PEth (17)
- hemaPEN® Device (13)
- Preclinical Research, Animal Studies (12)
- Skin Microsampling, Microbiopsy (12)
- Pharmaceuticals, Drug Development (9)
- Harpera Device (5)
- Industry News, Microsampling News (5)
- Antibodies, MAbs (3)
- Company Press Release, Product Press Release (3)
- Environmental Toxins, Exposures (1)
- December 2024 (2)
- November 2024 (1)
- October 2024 (3)
- September 2024 (1)
- June 2024 (1)
- May 2024 (1)
- April 2024 (4)
- March 2024 (1)
- February 2024 (2)
- January 2024 (4)
- December 2023 (3)
- November 2023 (3)
- October 2023 (3)
- September 2023 (3)
- July 2023 (3)
- June 2023 (2)
- April 2023 (2)
- March 2023 (2)
- February 2023 (2)
- January 2023 (3)
- December 2022 (2)
- November 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (4)
- September 2022 (3)
- August 2022 (5)
- July 2022 (2)
- June 2022 (2)
- May 2022 (4)
- April 2022 (3)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (4)
- January 2022 (5)
- December 2021 (3)
- November 2021 (5)
- October 2021 (3)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (4)
- July 2021 (4)
- June 2021 (4)
- May 2021 (4)
- April 2021 (3)
- March 2021 (5)
- February 2021 (4)
- January 2021 (4)
- December 2020 (3)
- November 2020 (5)
- October 2020 (4)
- September 2020 (3)
- August 2020 (3)
- July 2020 (6)
- June 2020 (4)
- May 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (6)
- February 2020 (3)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (5)
- November 2019 (4)
- October 2019 (2)
- September 2019 (4)
- August 2019 (4)
- July 2019 (3)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (6)
- April 2019 (5)
- March 2019 (6)
- February 2019 (5)
- January 2019 (8)
- December 2018 (3)
- November 2018 (4)
- October 2018 (7)
- September 2018 (6)
- August 2018 (5)
- July 2018 (8)
- June 2018 (6)
- May 2018 (5)
- April 2018 (6)
- March 2018 (4)
- February 2018 (6)
- January 2018 (4)
- December 2017 (2)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (2)
- September 2017 (4)
- August 2017 (2)
- July 2017 (4)
- June 2017 (5)
- May 2017 (6)
- April 2017 (6)
- March 2017 (5)
- February 2017 (4)
- January 2017 (1)
- July 2016 (3)
- May 2016 (1)
- April 2016 (2)
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think