Information regarding the management of biohazardous waste can be found in the UNH Laboratory Safety Plan (Chapter 10, Section 7 Biohazardous Waste Disposal Practices). Please refer to the Training Classes for biological safety training or contact the Laboratory Safety Officer.

EXAMPLES OF REGULATED INFECTIOUS WASTE

• Cultures or stocks containing infectious agents.
• Human tissues, organs and body parts removed during surgery or autopsy.
• Human blood and products of human blood (e.g. serum, plasma).
• Items contaminated by human blood or products of human blood (e.g. equipment used for patient care, testing and laboratory analysis).
• Any waste produced from human or animal patient care (e.g. soiled dressings, sponges, drapes, drainage sets, surgical gloves, dialysis waste, filters, disposable medical supplies).
• Any biological waste and discarded material contaminated with blood, excretion, or secretion from humans or animals isolated to protect from communicable diseases.
• Any other waste material that results from the administration of medical care to a patient and is found to pose a threat to human health or the environment due to its infectious nature.
• Sharps that have been used in human or animal patient care (e.g. hypodermic needles, syringes, Pasteur pipettes, broken glass, scalpel blades).
• Discarded equipment and devices that were in contact with infectious agents (e.g. contaminated hot plates, centrifuge, medical care equipment.
• Laboratory equipment and supplies that have come into contact with infectious agents (e.g. contaminated culture dishes, transfer devices, culture plates, gloves, laboratory coats).
• Laboratory and safety equipment that has come into contact with infectious agents (e.g. glass slides, cover slips, gloves, laboratory coats, aprons).
• Animal carcasses, body parts, organs, tissue and bedding of animals that were exposed to infectious agents, production of biological material, or pharmaceuticals testing.
• Any preparations of genetically altered living organisms (e.g. genetically modified plants, animals, tissues) and any laboratory equipment that has come into contact with GMO material (e.g. contaminated culture dishes, transfer pipettes, gloves, laboratory gowns).
• Any waste produced from the production of infectious biological materials.
• Any waste contaminated with viable recombinant organisms.

EXAMPLES OF NON-REGULATED WASTE

• Any materials that come into contact with patients but is not saturated with blood, secretions or other bodily fluids through routine examination or patient care (e.g. non-contaminated gloves, gowns, underpads free from blood or body fluids).
• Animal material that has not been exposed to infectious agents.
• Non-medical sharps used for non-infectious purposes sealed in a puncture proof container labeled "Non-Infectious Sharps" (e.g. pipette tips used for chemical transfers or non-infectious research).
• Discarded band-aids and gauze not saturated to the point of releasing blood or other potentially infectious material.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
INFECTIOUS WASTE RULES

Definitions

Infectious Waste: Any waste which, because of its infectious nature, may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed. (Source: New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, ENV-WM 102.90)
Regulatory Information

Infectious Waste (NH)

• The State of New Hampshire's Infectious Waste regulations (ENV-WM 2604) apply to proper management of infectious and treated infectious waste, including the following:
  • Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biological material, including:
    • Cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories;
    • Wastes from the production of biological material, discarded live and attenuated vaccines; and,
    • Culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures.
  • Pathological wastes, including tissues, organs, and body parts that were removed during surgery or autopsy.
  • Waste human blood and products of blood, including:
    • Serum, plasma and other blood components;
    • Containers contaminated with serum, plasma and other blood components which were used or intended for use in either patient care, testing and laboratory analysis or the development of pharmaceuticals; and
    • Items saturated and/or dripping with human blood or items that were saturated and/or dripping with human blood that are now caked with dried human blood or blood components.
  • Sharps that have been used in human or animal patient care or in medical, research, or industrial laboratories, including hypodermic needles, syringes, Pasteur pipettes, broken glass and scalpel blades.
  • Contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that were exposed to infectious agents during research, production of biological material, or testing of pharmaceuticals.
  • Wastes from human or animal patient care, surgery or autopsy that were in contact with infectious agents, including soiled dressings, sponges, drapes, lavage tubes, drainage sets, underpads, and surgical gloves.
  • Laboratory wastes from medical, pathological, pharmaceutical, or other research, commercial or industrial laboratories that were in contact with infectious agents, including slides and cover slips, disposable gloves, laboratory coats, and aprons.
  • Dialysis wastes that were in contact with the blood of patients undergoing hemodialysis, including contaminated disposable equipment and supplies such as tubing, filters, disposable sheets, towels, gloves, aprons, and laboratory coats.
  • Discarded medical equipment and parts that were in contact with infectious agents.
  • Biological waste and discarded materials contaminated with blood, excretion, exudates or secretion from humans or animals that are isolated to protect others from communicable diseases.
  • Any discarded preparations made from genetically altered living organisms and their products.
  • Such other waste material that results from the administration of medical care to a patient whether human or animal by a health care provider and is found by the director in consultation with the pision of public health services or state veterinarian to pose a threat to human health or the environment due to its infectious nature.

Non-Regulated Infectious Waste (NH)

The State of New Hampshire's Infectious Waste regulations (ENV-WM 2604) do not apply to:

• Gloves, gowns, underpads or any other materials that come in contact with patients, but not saturated with blood, body fluids or secretions, through routine examination or patient care.
• Animal carcasses not included above.
• Household infectious waste, provided that:
  • Sharps shall be enclosed inside rigid, puncture-resistant containers;
  • Containers encasing sharps shall be sealed and labeled "Not for Recycling"; and
  • The waste shall be disposed at an authorized facility only.