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EHSV Biosafety <br />There is no evidence to suggest that biohazardous wastes (Infectious, biological, pathological, <br />contaminated) are anymore hazardous than residential wastes and have caused diseases in the <br />community as a result of improper disposal. Biohazardous wastes for which special precautions are <br />indicated are a matter of judgment to the relative risk of disease transmission. The management of <br />biohazardous waste is to identify these wastes which has the potential for causing infections during <br />manipulating, storing, and disposing, for which special precautions are necessary (Hawaii <br />Administrative Rules, Title 11, Department of Health, Chapter 104, Management and Disposal of <br />Infectious Wastes.) <br />For questions regarding the proper disposal of biohazardous wastes or an assessment of your <br />laboratory wastes disposal system, please call BSP. <br />Definition and Designation of Biohazardous Wastes <br />Any wastes that may contain infectious agents of sufficient virulence and quantity that present <br />a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, other animals, or plants, either directly through <br />infectious or indirectly through disruption to the environment (EPA, 1986). <br />At UH we consider all wastes that has come into contact with biological commodities as a <br />biological wastes. <br />1. Cultures and Stock of Infectious agents and associated biological, including <br />recombinant or genetically engineered products. <br />a. These wastes have high concentrations of pathogenic organisms. Including in <br />.this category are specimen cultures, stocks of infectious agents, wastes from the <br />production of biological. <br />b. Steam sterilization (autoclave is the preferred treatment method. <br />2. Human and Animal Blood, Blood Products and Other Body Fluids. <br />a. These include: serum, plasma, seminal fluids, vaginal fluids, cerebrospinal fluid, <br />synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other potential <br />infectious materials. Does not include: nasal secretions, sputum, tears, urine, <br />feces, sweat, and vomitus, unless they contain visible blood or known to contain <br />agents (however, dispose of as biological wastes). These are considered <br />biohazardous because of their potential for bloodborne pathogens and zoonotic <br />diseases. <br />b. Two recommended treatment methods are autoclaving and incineration. In <br />addition, small volume (less than 10 mis) of these products may be discharged <br />fileWCADocuments and Settings\OwnerWy Documents\P&PUnfection Control 2005\Bioha... 5/5/2005 <br />