“Regulated medical waste” means a waste or reusable material that contains an etiologic agent and is generated in the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals; research pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals; or the production or testing of biological products.

• Cultures and stocks
• Human blood, blood products, and human body fluids, except urine or feces
• Pathological wastes consisting of human tissues, organs, and body parts removed during surgery, autopsy, biopsy and other medical procedures.
• Untreated sharps;
• Used blood collection bags, tubes, and vials
• Contaminated carcasses, body parts and bedding of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens in research, in the production of biologicals or the “in vivo” testing of pharmaceuticals.
• Items contaminated with blood or other human body fluids which drip freely or would release such materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed or are caked with dried blood or body fluids and are capable of releasing these materials.
• Isolation wastes unless determined to be non-infectious by the infection control committee at the health care facility.
• HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.
• All disposable materials that have come in contact with cytotoxic or antineoplastic agents during the preparation, handling, and administration of such agents. Such wastes include, but are not limited to, masks, gloves, gowns, empty IV tubing and bags, vials, and other contaminated materials.
• Any other material or equipment which, in the determination of the responsible party, presents a significant danger of infection because it is contaminated with, or may reasonably be expected to be contaminated with, etiologic agents.

Healthcare facilities are not subject to the storage requirements of Title 252 Chapter 515. However, OSHA storage requirements do apply to healthcare facilities (see OSHA regulations below). Regulated medical waste processing facilities must meet the following storage standards for RMW.

• All waste must be processed or placed into refrigerated storage, at 45 degrees F, within 24 hours of delivery.
• If processing has not occurred within 96 hours, waste shall be transported to an alternate permitted site.