Non-Chemical Hazardous Materials
Infectious waste is: any waste material that contains, "a viable microorganism, or its toxin, which causes or may cause disease in humans or animals" (41 CFR 173.134). The terms infectious waste and etiologic waste are synonymous. Infectious waste includes blood borne pathogens (for example, Hepatitis or AIDS virus). For a more detailed definition, see the University of Utah's Biosafety Manual and Blood borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, available from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
Biohazardous Sharps: Sharps are syringes, needles and broken glass contaminated with human blood or other potentially infectious materials, with the potential to penetrate skin if not properly handled.
Biohazardous Non-Sharps: Gauze bandages, clothing, plastics, or other items contaminated with human blood or other potentially infectious materials, which do not represent a potential to penetrate skin if not properly handled, including all non-sharp wastes designated as such by appropriate University personnel. Unbroken glass items are excluded.
Appropriate Containers for Infectious Waste are: either red or orange rigid plastic containers (for sharps), or red/orange plastic bags that are clearly marked with the words Infectious or Biohazard and which generally include the International Biohazard Symbol. Sharps waste that is contaminated must be placed in rigid, crush proof containers.
Place ONLY Infectious Waste in Infectious Waste Containers.
Disposal of infectious waste is expensive and it must be handled
with special precautions.
Please do not use infectious waste containers for noninfectious waste.
Infectious Waste Containers are available from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Call 1-5450.
Disposal: EHS Waste pickup request form
Sharps Waste -- Non-Infectious: any uncontaminated sharp object that can penetrate the skin, including, but not limited to: broken glass, broken capillary tubes and pipettes, blades from power tools, glass microscope slides and cover plates, and non-hypodermic needles.
Sharps containers are: white or green rigid plastic or cardboard containers labeled Glass only, Non-Infectious Sharps, etc.
Sharps waste containers for noninfectious waste are available from Custodial Services.
Disposal: Contact Custodial Services (1-6108).
Non-Infectious Syringes without needles must be placed in a clearly marked container for disposal. If no other containers are available, you may use the red, rigid plastic, infectious waste containers for these items, but the words "Infectious" or "Biohazard" must be obliterated or covered, and the container must clearly be marked "Non-Infectious Waste".
Non-Infectious sharp metal items such as razor blades, knives, needles, hypodermic needles, and other similar items should be disposed in the red infectious waste containers. This protocol is in place for the consideration of the custodial staff who provide noninfectious disposal services.
Disposal: EHS Waste pickup request form
Often contaminated materials are accumulated in biohazard bags, and then autoclaved to rendor the microorganisms and/or toxins nonhazardous. The biohazard symbol on the bags of these decontaminated materials must be marked out (obliterated) prior to disposal; even if rebagged.
Biohazard bags cannot be placed in the dumpster regardless of their contents. It is assumed that anything in a biohazard bag is hazardous and must be disposed of accordingly.