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INFECTIOUS WASTE ... ITS* <br />FTATLYLORY DEFINITION <br />Section 25117.5 of the Health and Safety Code lists <br />mprehensive definition of infectious waste. This <br />seven -part definition states which specific waste <br />categories are to be considered infectious. It is <br />reproduced in its entirety on this fact sheet. <br />(1) Laboratory wastes, including cultures of <br />etiologic agents, which pose a substantial threat to <br />health due to their volume and virulence. <br />(2) Pathologic specimens, including human or <br />animal tissues, blood elements, excreta, and <br />secretions which contain etiologic agents, and <br />attendant disposable fomites. <br />(3) Surgical specimens, including human or animal <br />parts and tissues removed surgically or at autopsy <br />which in the opinion of the attending physician or <br />veterinarian contain etiologic agents, and attendant <br />disposable fomites. <br />(4) Equipment, instruments, utensils and other <br />disposable materials which are likely to transmit <br />etiologic agents from the rooms of humans or the <br />enclosures of animals, which have been isolated <br />because of suspected or diagnosed communicable <br />disease. <br />11 <br />5) Human dialysis waste materials, including <br />arterial lines and dialyzate membranes. <br />(6) Carcasses of animals infected with etiologic <br />agents which may present a substantial hazard to <br />public health if improperly managed. <br />(7) Any other material which, in the determination <br />of the facility infection control staff, presents -a <br />significant danger of infection because it is contami- <br />nated %jith, or may reasonably be expected to be <br />contaminated with, etiologic agents. <br />As used in this section, "etiologic agent" means a <br />type of microorganism, helminth, or virus which <br />causes, or significantly contributes to the cause of, <br />increased morbidity or mortality of human beings. <br />