PATHOLOGICAL WASTE
Segregated for Incineration
PATHOLOGICAL WASTE
Pathological waste consists of recognizable human derived tissues, organs, and body parts as well as vertebrate animal derived tissues, organs, and body parts used in research. This excludes teeth and contiguous cultures of bone and gum; body fluids removed during surgery, autopsy, or other medical procedures; specimens of body fluids and their containers; and discarded materials saturated with body fluids other than urine.
Pathological wastes must be disposed by incineration.
Pathological waste must be separated from standard regulated medical waste (RMW), also known as standard “Red Bag” waste, which is treated according to local, State and Federal regulations.
Generators Responsible for the Packaging of Pathological Waste
- DRAIN “SATURATED” PATHOLOGICAL WASTE: Sufficiently drain all material before placement into a red bag. Certain organs can retain liquids after drainage and may need to be placed into thicker, high-density polyethylene bags (HDPE) to prevent leakage. If red bag material is “saturated” with blood or other fluids, double or triple-bagging, or the utilization of absorbents is recommended.
- PLACE THE WASTE INTO THE INITIAL RED BAG:Once sufficiently drained, place collected pathological waste into a red bag. Properly close all red bags when full or at the end of each day by twisting the red bag closed at the top and hand-tying into a single knot to seal. Pathological waste must be refrigerated to prevent decomposition and the development of pungent odors.
