Infectious Waste

Infectious waste is any waste with the presence or the reasonable anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface. The following are typical materials considered infectious wastes (this is not an all-inclusive list).

• Human body fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult to differentiate between body fluids.
• Any unfixed human tissue or organ (other than intact skin).
• HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV or HBV containing culture medium or other solutions.
• Microbiological cultures and stocks of infectious agents, including cultures and stocks of infectious agents, wastes from the production of biologicals, and culture dishes, assemblies and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures.
• Contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, blood, blood products, secretions, excretions and bedding of animals that were known to have been exposed to zoonotic infectious agents or non-zoonotic human pathogens.
• Pharmaceutical drugs and chemicals that are not infectious must not be disposed in the infectious waste streams.
• Regulated medical waste that is mixed with chemicals or radioactive agents must be handled in a special manner. Please contact the department EHRS at ehrs@drexel.edu.

There are three types of waste generated in laboratories and disposed of through the regulated medical waste program. These include:

• Regulated Medical Waste
  • Sharp waste
  • Non-Sharp waste
• Pathological waste
• Chemotherapeutic waste 

Researchers can submit an infectious waste pick-up request to EHRS. The infectious waste will be removed by the university’s vendor during the next pick-up time. In addition, researchers can submit an infectious waste container request to EHRS. 

Infectious Waste Removal Process

Non-sharps regulated medical waste and chemotherapeutic waste bags must be placed in a container that is leak-proof on the sides and bottom, impervious to moisture, and sufficient in strength to prevent puncturing, tearing or bursting during storage. Liquid waste must be placed in containers that are break resistant and tightly lidded. Sharps containers must be puncture resistant, tightly lidded, leak proof and labeled. Cardboard sharps containers are not acceptable for use.

Regulated medical waste and Chemotherapeutic waste containers must be labeled in the following manner by research personnel: 

• The words “Regulated Medical Waste” or “Chemotherapeutic Waste”
• The universal biohazard symbol and the work “Biohazard”.
• The date the container was full or the date the container was sealed.
• The name, address and telephone number of the generator of the waste.

Research personnel must seal the waste container prior to removal from the laboratory. The contractor will not seal the container. The waste is removed on the following schedule:

Research personnel must be present during the scheduled pick up time. The contactor will not remove the waste if the research personnel are not present. Regulated medical waste cannot be placed in the hallway for pickup. The waste must be secure at all times. Overfilled containers will not be removed from the laboratory. 

To service waste containers or to obtain regulated waste containers, please contact the EHRS or use the links to submit a request.

Review the Laboratory Safety Manual [PDF] or Hazardous Waste Management Plan [PDF] for additional information concerning allowable amount accumulated, labeling and permitted accumulation time.