When handling chemical or biological waste, it is essential to comply with a wide range of laws and regulations governing the disposal of potentially hazardous substances. Genetically modified or infectious organisms must be inactivated, chemically treated solutions must be sorted, and antibiotics must not be disposed of in the environment unless they have been inactivated, among other requirements.
Remember: Always separate liquid waste from solid waste.
The waste contaminated with biosafety level 1 (BLS 1) organisms has to be separated depending on whether it is solid or liquid, whether it is contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMO), whether it can rupture the waste plastic bag and whether it is a sharp or a pointy object.
The “management of BSL 1 contaminated waste (not infectious)” chart can be downloaded here.
Liquid waste inactivation: after dilution, Virkon, bleach (sodium hypochlorite – NaOCl), and Incidin Pro are stable for one week, while Incidin Pro remains effective for two weeks. Additional disinfectant must be added if waste remains in the laboratory for more than 1-2 weeks.
Solid waste has to be inactivated by autoclave treatment in house.
Serological pipettes and filtered tips do not have to be directly discarded inside the plastic waste bag because they may rupture it. They have to be packaged or collected in a rigid container that will be then trashed inside the autoclavable plastic waste bag.
The “Treatment and elimination of biological liquid waste at EPFL” chart can be downloaded here.
Liquid waste inactivation: after dilution, Virkon, bleach (sodium hypochlorite – NaOCl), and Incidin Pro are stable for one week, while Incidin Pro remains effective for two weeks. Additional disinfectant must be added if waste remains in the laboratory for more than 1-2 weeks.
The “Treatment and elimination of biological liquid waste in the SV faculty” chart can be downloaded here.
Liquid waste inactivation: after dilution, Virkon, bleach (sodium hypochlorite – NaOCl), and Incidin Pro are stable for one week, while Incidin Pro remains effective for two weeks. Additional disinfectant must be added if waste remains in the laboratory for more than 1-2 weeks.
Any questions? Contact us.