BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE

Biohazardous waste includes, but is not limited to, cell cultures and stocks, culture dishes, devices used with cultures, waste derived from the production of biological agents, animals or human surgical specimens, animal or human blood or body fluids, used sharps, contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, excrement and bedding. All non-sterilized cultures and specimens are to be considered biohazardous.

PROCEDURES FOR BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid Waste

  1. Preparation.
    All bags designated for biohazardous solid waste shall be RED double-bagged. Labeling of the bags must include UCSD, PI's name, room number and building, or a UCSD waste generator number. Leave enough opening at the top of the bag to allow for the expansion of air during the autoclave cycle at an off campus facility. Some sharps are collected separately. Please contact the safety office at the number below for more information.
  2. Disposal.
    Place all bags in the assigned EH&S receptacles located in each autoclave room. If the containers are full, do not set bags on top of the containers, call EH&S at 534-2753 and they will exchange the full containers for empty ones. Please make sure the lids are securely fastened on the containers.

Liquid Waste

All liquid biohazardous waste should be sterilized using bleach or another suitable liquid disinfectant. The final concentration of liquid waste to bleach should be 9:1 or 10% bleach. If it is absolutely necessary to disinfect liquid biohazardous waste with an autoclave rather than chemically please contact Vicky Scales x4-6432, so arrangements can be made.

For additional information on biohazardous waste, sterilization, or biological safety, please refer to the UCSD bio-safety web pages.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Division Safety Officer at 534-6432.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.