Infection Control

Background I. Regulated Medical Waste

Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities (2003)

1. Epidemiology On this Page

No epidemiologic evidence suggests that
Epidemiology
most of the solid- or liquid wastes from
hospitals, other healthcare facilities, or Categories of Medical Waste

clinical/research laboratories is any more Management of Regulated Medical Waste in Health-Care Facilities
infective than residential waste. Several Treatment of Regulated Medical Waste
studies have compared the microbial load Table 27. Microorganisms and biologicals identified as select agents
and the diversity of microorganisms in
Discharging Blood, Fluids to Sanitary Sewers or Septic Tanks
residential wastes and wastes obtained from
a variety of health-care settings.1399–1402 Medical Waste and CJD
Although hospital wastes had a greater
number of different bacterial species
compared with residential waste, wastes from residences were more heavily contaminated.1397, 1398 Moreover, no
epidemiologic evidence suggests that traditional waste-disposal practices of health-care facilities (whereby clinical and
microbiological wastes were decontaminated on site before leaving the facility) have caused disease in either the health-care
setting or the general community.1400, 1401 This statement excludes, however, sharps injuries sustained during or immediately
after the delivery of patient care before the sharp is “discarded.” Therefore, identifying wastes for which handling and disposal
precautions are indicated is largely a matter of judgment about the relative risk of disease transmission, because no
reasonable standards on which to base these determinations have been developed. Aesthetic and emotional considerations
(originating during the early years of the HIV epidemic) have, however, figured into the development of treatment and
disposal policies, particularly for pathology and anatomy wastes and sharps.1402–1405 Public concerns have resulted in the
promulgation of federal, state, and local rules and regulations regarding medical waste management and disposal.1406–1414

2. Categories of Medical Waste

Precisely defining medical waste on the basis of quantity and type of etiologic agents present is virtually impossible. The most
practical approach to medical waste management is to identify wastes that represent a sufficient potential risk of causing
infection during handling and disposal and for which some precautions likely are prudent.2 Health-care facility medical wastes
targeted for handling and disposal precautions include microbiology laboratory waste (e.g., microbiologic cultures and stocks
of microorganisms), pathology and anatomy waste, blood specimens from clinics and laboratories, blood products, and other
body-fluid specimens.2 Moreover, the risk of either injury or infection from certain sharp items (e.g., needles and scalpel
blades) contaminated with blood also must be considered. Although any item that has had contact with blood, exudates, or
secretions may be potentially infective, treating all such waste as infective is neither practical nor necessary. Federal, state,
and local guidelines and regulations specify the categories of medical waste that are subject to regulation and outline the
requirements associated with treatment and disposal. The categorization of these wastes has generated the term “regulated
medical waste.” This term emphasizes the role of regulation in defining the actual material and as an alternative to “infectious
waste,” given the lack of evidence of this type of waste’s infectivity. State regulations also address the degree or amount of
contamination (e.g., blood-soaked gauze) that defines the discarded item as a regulated medical waste. The EPA’s Manual for
Infectious Waste Management identifies and categorizes other specific types of waste generated in health-care facilities with
research laboratories that also require handling precautions.1406
3. Management of Regulated Medical Waste in Health-Care
Facilities
Ebola Virus Disease [August 2014]

Update: The recommendations in this guideline for Ebola has been superseded by these CDC documents:

Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients with Known or Suspected Ebola Virus
Disease in U.S. Hospitals
Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus

See CDC’s Ebola Virus Disease website for current information on how Ebola virus is transmitted.

Medical wastes require careful disposal and containment before collection and consolidation for treatment. OSHA has
dictated initial measures for discarding regulated medical-waste items. These measures are designed to protect the workers
who generate medical wastes and who manage the wastes from point of generation to disposal.967 A single, leak-resistant
biohazard bag is usually adequate for containment of regulated medical wastes, provided the bag is sturdy and the waste can
be discarded without contaminating the bag’s exterior. The contamination or puncturing of the bag requires placement into a
second biohazard bag. All bags should be securely closed for disposal. Puncture-resistant containers located at the point of
use (e.g., sharps containers) are used as containment for discarded slides or tubes with small amounts of blood, scalpel
blades, needles and syringes, and unused sterile sharps.967 To prevent needlestick injuries, needles and other contaminated
sharps should not be recapped, purposefully bent, or broken by hand. CDC has published general guidelines for handling
sharps.6, 1415 Health-care facilities may need additional precautions to prevent the production of aerosols during the handling
of blood-contaminated items for certain rare diseases or conditions (e.g., Lassa fever and Ebola virus infection).203

Transporting and storing regulated medical wastes within the health-care facility prior to terminal treatment is often
necessary. Both federal and state regulations address the safe transport and storage of on- and off-site regulated medical
wastes.1406–1408 Health-care facilities are instructed to dispose medical wastes regularly to avoid accumulation. Medical wastes
requiring storage should be kept in labeled, leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers under conditions that minimize or
prevent foul odors. The storage area should be well ventilated and be inaccessible to pests. Any facility that generates
regulated medical wastes should have a regulated medical waste management plan to ensure health and environmental
safety as per federal, state, and local regulations.

4. Treatment of Regulated Medical Waste

Regulated medical wastes are treated or decontaminated to reduce the microbial load in or on the waste and to render the
by-products safe for further handling and disposal. From a microbiologic standpoint, waste need not be rendered “sterile”
because the treated waste will not be deposited in a sterile site. In addition, waste need not be subjected to the same
reprocessing standards as are surgical instruments. Historically, treatment methods involved steam-sterilization (i.e.,
autoclaving), incineration, or interment (for anatomy wastes). Alternative treatment methods developed in recent years
include chemical disinfection, grinding/shredding/disinfection methods, energy-based technologies (e.g., microwave or
radiowave treatments), and disinfection/encapsulation methods.1409 State medical waste regulations specify appropriate
treatment methods for each category of regulated medical waste.

Of all the categories comprising regulated medical waste, microbiologic wastes (e.g., untreated cultures, stocks, and amplified
microbial populations) pose the greatest potential for infectious disease transmission, and sharps pose the greatest risk for
injuries. Untreated stocks and cultures of microorganisms are subsets of the clinical laboratory or microbiologic waste
stream. If the microorganism must be grown and amplified in culture to high concentration to permit work with the specimen,
this item should be considered for on-site decontamination, preferably within the laboratory unit. Historically, this was
accomplished effectively by either autoclaving (steam sterilization) or incineration. If steam sterilization in the health-care
facility is used for waste treatment, exposure of the waste for up to 90 minutes at 250°F (121°C) in a autoclave (depending on
the size of the load and type container) may be necessary to ensure an adequate decontamination cycle.1416–1418 After steam
sterilization, the residue can be safely handled and discarded with all other nonhazardous solid waste in accordance with
state solid-waste disposal regulations. On-site incineration is another treatment option for microbiologic, pathologic, and
anatomic waste, provided the incinerator is engineered to burn these wastes completely and stay within EPA emissions
standards.1410 Improper incineration of waste with high moisture and low energy content (e.g., pathology waste) can lead to
emission problems. State medical-waste regulatory programs identify acceptable methods for inactivating amplified stocks
and cultures of microorganisms, some of which may employ technology rather than steam sterilization or incineration.

Concerns have been raised about the ability of modern health-care facilities to inactivate microbiologic wastes on-site, given
that many of these institutions have decommissioned their laboratory autoclaves. Current laboratory guidelines for working
with infectious microorganisms at biosafety level (BSL) 3 recommend that all laboratory waste be decontaminated before
disposal by an approved method, preferably within the laboratory.1013 These same guidelines recommend that all materials
removed from a BSL 4 laboratory (unless they are biological materials that are to remain viable) are to be decontaminated
before they leave the laboratory.1013 Recent federal regulations for laboratories that handle certain biological agents known as
“select agents” (i.e., those that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety) require these agents
(and those obtained from a clinical specimen intended for diagnostic, reference, or verification purposes) to be destroyed on-
site before disposal.1412 Although recommendations for laboratory waste disposal from BSL 1 or 2 laboratories (e.g., most
health-care clinical and diagnostic laboratories) allow for these materials to be decontaminated off-site before disposal, on-
site decontamination by a known effective method is preferred to reduce the potential of exposure during the handling of
infectious material.

A recent outbreak of TB among workers in a regional medical-waste treatment facility in the United States demonstrated the
hazards associated with aerosolized microbiologic wastes.1419, 1420 The facility received diagnostic cultures of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis from several different health-care facilities before these cultures were chemically disinfected; this facility treated
this waste with a grinding/shredding process that generated aerosols from the material. 1419, 1420 Several operational
deficiencies facilitated the release of aerosols and exposed workers to airborne M. tuberculosis. Among the suggested control
measures was that health-care facilities perform on-site decontamination of laboratory waste containing live cultures of
microorganisms before release of the waste to a waste management company.1419, 1420 This measure is supported by
recommendations found in the CDC/NIH guideline for laboratory workers.1013 This outbreak demonstrates the need to avoid
the use of any medical-waste treatment method or technology that can aerosolize pathogens from live cultures and stocks
(especially those of airborne microorganisms) unless aerosols can be effectively contained and workers can be equipped with
proper PPE.1419–1421 Safe laboratory practices, including those addressing waste management, have been published.1013, 1422

In an era when local, state, and federal health-care facilities and laboratories are developing bioterrorism response strategies
and capabilities, the need to reinstate in-laboratory capacity to destroy cultures and stocks of microorganisms becomes a
relevant issue.1423 Recent federal regulations require health-care facility laboratories to maintain the capability of destroying
discarded cultures and stocks on-site if these laboratories isolate from a clinical specimen any microorganism or toxin
identified as a “select agent” from a clinical specimen (Table 27).1412, 1413 As an alternative, isolated cultures of select agents can
be transferred to a facility registered to accept these agents in accordance with federal regulations.1412 State medical waste
regulations can, however, complicate or completely prevent this transfer if these cultures are determined to be medical
waste, because most states regulate the inter-facility transfer of untreated medical wastes.

Table 27. Microorganisms and biologicals identified as select agents*+

Format Change [February 2017]

The format of this section was changed to improve readability and accessibility. The content is unchanged.

Table 27 A. HHS Non-overlap select agents and toxins (42 CFR Part 73 §73.4)

Pathogen type Select agents

 Pathogen type Select agents

Viruses Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus; Ebola viruses; Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (herpes B
virus); Lassa fever virus; Marburg virus; monkeypox virus; South American hemorrhagic fever
viruses (Junin, Machupo, Sabia, Flexal, Guanarito); tick-borne encephalitis complex (flavi) viruses
(Central European tick-borne encephalitis, Far Eastern tick-borne encephalitis [Russian spring
and summer encephalitis, Kyasnaur Forest disease, Omsk hemorrhagic fever]); variola major
virus (smallpox virus); and variola minor virus (alastrim)
Exclusions: ¶ Vaccine strain of Junin virus (Candid. #1)

Bacteria Rickettsia prowazekii, R. rickettsii, Yersinia pestis

Fungi Coccidioides posadasii

Toxins Abrin; conotoxins; diacetoxyscirpenol; ricin; saxitoxin; Shiga-like ribosome inactivating proteins;
tetrodotoxin
Exclusions: ¶ The following toxins (in purified form or in combinations of pure and impure forms)
if the aggregate amount under the control of a principal investigator does not, at any time,
exceed the amount specified: 100 mg of abrin; 100 mg of conotoxins; 1,000 mg of
diacetoxyscirpenol; 100 mg of ricin; 100 mg of saxitoxin; 100 mg of Shiga-like ribosome
inactivating proteins; or 100 mg of tetrodotoxin

Genetic elements, Select agent viral nucleic acids (synthetic or naturally-derived, contiguous or fragmented, in
recombinant nucleic host chromosomes or in expression vectors) that can encode infectious and/or replication
acids, and competent forms of any of the select agent viruses;
recombinant Nucleic acids (synthetic or naturally-derived) that encode for the functional form(s) of any of
organisms¶ the toxins listed in this table if the nucleic acids:
a. are in a vector or host chromosome;
b. can be expressed in vivo or in vitro; or
c. are in a vector or host chromosome and can be expressed in vivo or in vitro;
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins listed in this table that have been genetically modified.

Table 27 B. High consequence livestock pathogens and toxins/select agents

(overlap agents) (42 CFR Part 73 §73.5 and USDA regulation 9 CFR Part 121)
Pathogen type Select agents

Viruses Eastern equine encephalitis virus; Nipah and Hendra complex viruses; Rift Valley fever virus;
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
Exclusions:¶ MP-12 vaccine strain of Rift Valley fever virus; TC-83 vaccine strain of Venezuelan
equine encephalitis virus

Bacteria Bacillus anthracis; Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis; Burkholderia mallei (formerly
Pseudomonas mallei), B. pseudomallei (formerly P. pseudomallei); botulinum neurotoxin-
producing species of Clostridium; Coxiella burnetii; Francisella tularensis

Fungi Coccidioides immitis

 Pathogen type Select agents

Toxins Botulinum neurotoxins; Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin; Shigatoxin; staphylococcal

enterotoxins; T-2 toxin
Exclusions:¶ The following toxins (in purified form or in combinations of pure and impure
forms) if the aggregate amount under the control of a principal investigator does not, at any
time, exceed the amount specified: 0.5 mg of botulinum neurotoxins; 100 mg of Clostridium
perfringens epsilon toxin; 100 mg of Shigatoxin; 5 mg of staphylococcal enterotoxins; or 1,000
mg of T-2 toxin

Genetic elements, Select agent viral nuclei acids (synthetic or naturally derived, contiguous or fragmented,
recombinant nucleic in host chromosomes or in expression vectors) thatcan encode infectious and/or
acids, and recombinant replication competent forms of any of the select agent viruses;
organisms¶ Nucleic acids (synthetic or naturally derived) that encode for the functional form(s) of any
of the toxins listed in this table if the nucleic acids:
a. are in a vector or host chromosome;
b. can be expressed in vivo or in vitro; or
c. are in a vector or host chromosome and can be expressed in vivo or in vitro;
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins listed in this table that have been genetically modified

* Material in this table is compiled from references 1412, 1413, 1424. Reference 1424 also contains lists of select agents that
include plant pathogens and pathogens affecting livestock.

+ 42 CFR 73 §§73.4 and 73.5 do not include any select agent or toxin that is in its naturally-occurring environment, provided it
has not been intentionally introduced, cultivated, collected, or otherwise extracted from its natural source. These sections
also do not include non-viable select agent organisms or nonfunctional toxins. This list of select agents is current as of 3
October 2003 and is subject to change pending the final adoption of 42 CFR Part 73.

¶ These table entries are listed in reference 1412 and 1413, but were not included in reference 1424.

5. Discharging Blood, Fluids to Sanitary Sewers or Septic Tanks

The contents of all vessels that contain more than a few milliliters of blood remaining after laboratory procedures, suction
fluids, or bulk blood can either be inactivated in accordance with state-approved treatment technologies or carefully poured
down a utility sink drain or toilet.1414 State regulations may dictate the maximum volume allowable for discharge of
blood/body fluids to the sanitary sewer. No evidence indicates that bloodborne diseases have been transmitted from contact
with raw or treated sewage. Many bloodborne pathogens, particularly bloodborne viruses, are not stable in the environment
for long periods of time;1425, 1426 therefore, the discharge of small quantities of blood and other body fluids to the sanitary
sewer is considered a safe method of disposing of these waste materials.1414 The following factors increase the likelihood that
bloodborne pathogens will be inactivated in the disposal process:

a. dilution of the discharged materials with water

b. inactivation of pathogens resulting from exposure to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and other chemicals in raw
sewage; and
c. effectiveness of sewage treatment in inactivating any residual bloodborne pathogens that reach the treatment facility.

Small amounts of blood and other body fluids should not affect the functioning of a municipal sewer system. However, large
quantities of these fluids, with their high protein content, might interfere with the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the
system. Local municipal sewage treatment restrictions may dictate that an alternative method of bulk fluid disposal be
selected. State regulations may dictate what quantity constitutes a small amount of blood or body fluids.

Although concerns have been raised about the discharge of blood and other body fluids to a septic tank system, no evidence
suggests that septic tanks have transmitted bloodborne infections. A properly functioning septic system is adequate for
inactivating bloodborne pathogens. System manufacturers’ instructions specify what materials may be discharged to the
septic tank without jeopardizing its proper operation.
6. Medical Waste and CJD
Concerns also have been raised about the need for special handling and treatment procedures for wastes generated during
the care of patients with CJD or other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Prions, the agents that cause TSEs,
have significant resistance to inactivation by a variety of physical, chemical, or gaseous methods.1427 No epidemiologic
evidence, however, links acquisition of CJD with medical-waste disposal practices. Although handling neurologic tissue for
pathologic examination and autopsy materials with care, using barrier precautions, and following specific procedures for the
autopsy are prudent measures,1197 employing extraordinary measures once the materials are discarded is unnecessary.
Regulated medical wastes generated during the care of the CJD patient can be managed using the same strategies as wastes
generated during the care of other patients. After decontamination, these wastes may then be disposed in a sanitary landfill
or discharged to the sanitary sewer, as appropriate.
Page last reviewed: November 5, 2015