Infectious waste means waste capable of producing an infectious disease because it contains pathogens of sufficient virulence and quantity so that exposure to the waste by a susceptible human host could result in an infectious disease. These wastes include isolation wastes, cultures and stocks of etiologic agents, blood and blood products, pathological wastes, other contaminated wastes from surgery and autopsy, contaminated laboratory wastes, sharps, dialysis unit wastes, discarded biological materials known or suspected to be infectious; provided, however, that infectious waste does not mean waste treated to department specifications.

Isolation wastes. Wastes generated by patients who have communicable diseases which are capable of being transmitted to others via those wastes, contaminated surgical, dialysis and laboratory wastes. Wastes generated by surgery, dialysis and laboratory departments in the process of caring for patients who have communicable diseases which are capable of being transmitted to others via those wastes, cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals. Cultures and stocks of infectious agents shall be designated as infectious waste when discarded because of the high concentrations of pathogenic organisms typically present in these materials. Included in this category are all cultures and stocks of infectious organisms as well as culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures; blood and blood products. All discarded human blood and blood products, including serum, plasma and other components known or suspected to be contaminated with a transmissible infectious agent; except that the term “blood products” does not include patient care waste such as bandages or disposable gowns that are lightly soiled with blood or other body fluids, unless such wastes are soiled to the extent that the generator of the wastes deter-mines that they should be managed as infectious wastes, pathology wastes. These wastes include tissues, organs, body parts and body fluids that are removed during surgery and autopsy. All such wastes shall be considered infectious waste. Sharps. Discarded sharps, including hypodermic needles, syringes and scalpel blades. Broken glass or other sharp items that have come in contact with material considered infectious by definition are also included.

Prior to transport, all infectious waste shall be placed in rigid or semi-rigid, leak-resistance containers clearly marked with the universal biohazard symbol prominently displayed and labeled Infectious Waste or Biohazard Waste and sealed. All containers shall be closed in such a manner as to completely contain all waste and the outside of the container shall be kept free of contamination. Containers meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1030 are acceptable.