The Different Types of Medical Waste and How to Dispose of Them. According to the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988, medical waste is “any solid waste that is generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals.” Medical waste includes the following categories:
In this blog, we explain the differences between each category and how to dispose of them.
Biohazardous waste is any waste that impacts human health or the environment when discarded. It may contain blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials that threaten public health or the environment. The disposal of biohazardous medical waste is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Because biohazardous waste is detrimental to human health and the environment, it must be segregated for treatment at a medical waste facility.
Regulated medical waste is any waste that has the potential to cause infection and is regulated by state and federal agencies. The collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state regulations.
Pathological waste falls under the category of regulated medical waste and is typically generated by hospitals, surgery centers or veterinary clinics. Examples of pathological waste include:
Pathological waste must be segregated and separated from other types of medical waste and labeled with stickers that read “incineration only.”
Infectious waste is any waste that carries pathogens and could cause an infection in humans. Infectious waste can include but is not limited to the following:
Infectious waste should be treated in an autoclave to kill microorganisms and spores. Biological indicators are used to make sure the autoclave is working properly.
Sharps waste is any type of waste with sharp points or edges that can puncture, lacerate, or cut the skin. Sharps include a wide array of different types of instruments and objects, including:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies sharps waste as biohazardous. As a result, sharps waste should be disposed of in an FDA-approved sharps container.
BioWaste LLC provides comprehensive medical waste solutions to clients throughout Middle Tennessee. To learn more, please give us a call at 866-950-7643 or complete the form on this page. We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 615-491-4929
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Address: 210 Mitchell Blvd
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
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Since 2009, BioWaste LLC has provided top-notch biohazard waste removal at reasonable rates for our customers all over Tennessee.
Call 615-491-4929 for a consultation, and speak with one of our knowledgeable and professional staff members.
