Biological Waste & Cytotoxic Waste

Biological waste is defined as biohazard if it contains microorganisms, cell and tissue cultures from human, experimental animals or plant origin, human body fluids such as blood, semen, etc.

Solid waste

Dispose solid waste, such as petri dishes, flasks, pipettes, tips, contaminated by biohazard materials in a plastic bag carrying the biohazard sign, inside the red/orange bin. Never dispose liquids in a biohazard bag (not even in a closed container). Lab workers are responsible for transferring biohazard waste to the departmental bin (red/orange bin), at the departmental waste area. Please carry the waste bag with the red/orange bin to avoid contamination. 

Liquid waste

Disinfect liquid waste using approved disinfectants. Add 6% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl), diluted 1:10 for 30 min or “iodophor” (iodine solution) and for 24 hrs. disinfected liquids can be poured to the sink. Never mix sodium hypochlorite and iodine solution.

Sharps

Sharp objects such as syringes, Pasteur pipettes, contaminated broken glass are disposed in the “sharps” bin. Attach the lid before disposing any sharps in the bin. After filling the bin, close and secure the lid and dispose in a biohazard bag in the departmental red/orange bin. The size of the sharps bin should be selected according to its content.

Tissues fixed in formalin

Never dispose chemical waste in biohazard bags. Separate tissues and Formalin solution. Tissue remnants should be disposed in designated freezers. Formalin should be disposed as chemical waste.

Carcasses of experimental animals

Carcasses of experimental animals should not be disposed as biological waste. Bring the carcasses to the site designated by the Department of Veterinary Resources.