AUTOCLAVABLE WASTE

Examples include but are not limited to the following discarded items:

• Primary human cell lines and tissue cultures
• Organisms with recombinant DNA
• Cultures and stocks of infectious agents
• Potentially infectious bacteria, viruses, and spores
• Live and attenuated vaccines
• Blood and blood products
• Labware that has come into contact with the aforementioned waste steams (e.g. contaminated plastic pipettes, pipette tips, petri dishes, centrifuge tubes, eppendorf tubes, disposable gloves, wipes, etc.)

DEFINITIONS:

Autoclave:  A device to expose items to steam at a high pressure in order to decontaminate the materials or render them sterile.

Sterilization:  The use of a physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life, including spore-forming organisms

Decontamination:  The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy blood borne pathogens on a surface to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infection and the surface is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal

Disinfection:  To destroy all non-spore-forming organisms that could pose a potential hazard to humans or compromise the integrity of the experiment

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I decide what needs to be autoclaved?
2. What types of bags are used in an autoclave?
3. Can I use a biohazardus waste box to hold my autoclavable waste?
4. How should I dispose of my plastic and glass pipettes that need to be autoclaved?
5. Who will be handling my autoclave waste in my laboratory?
6. How do I dispose of liquid biohazardous waste?
7. How often do I need to get my autoclave recertified?

1. How do I decide what needs to be autoclaved?

Any waste containing pathogens, viable cultures of microorganisms and any materials that have come in contact with pathogens or viable cultures of microorganisms should be autoclaved.  If you need help in determining if your waste needs to be autoclaved please call Biosafety at x1904.

2. What types of bags are used in an autoclave?

Autoclavable waste bags must be labeled with either the words "Biohazardous Waste" or a biohazard symbol and the word "Biohazard".   These bags must be autoclavable, disposable, and impervious to moisture and have strength sufficient to preclude ripping, tearing, or bursting under normal conditions of usage and handling.  Autoclave bags are typically made out of polypropylene.  Clear 12"X24" autoclavable bags can be purchased from the warehouse at item # 81051033.  Larger autoclavable bags can be purchased from a variety of the laboratory supply catalogs.  If you need assistance in picking out an autoclave bag please call Waste Management at x5718. 

3. Can I use a biohazardous waste box to hold my autoclavable waste?

Biohazardous waste boxes can be used to hold your autoclave waste as long as the entire box is placed into an autoclave bag before autoclaving. The reason for doing this is because the glue that holds the box together will deteriorate in the autoclave causing the box to weaken.  Biohazardous waste boxes can be ordered from the warehouse (item # 66401506).  If you would like a rigid plastic container to store autoclave waste in your lab please contact Waste Management at x5718 for assistance.

4. How should I dispose of my plastic and glass pipettes that need to be autoclaved?

Plastic and glass pipettes should be placed in a rigid container prior to disposal.  This is to prevent pipettes from puncturing the autoclave bag and possibly causing injury. Recommended containers for disposing of pipettes include a biohazardous waste box or a pipette keeper box.  Biohazardous waste boxes can be purchased from the warehouse (item # 66401506).  Pipette keeper boxes can be purchased from the warehouse (item # 66400075).    If you need help selecting an appropriate pipette disposal container please call waste management at x5718.

5. Who will be handling my autoclave waste in my laboratory?

When your autoclave waste can is ¾ full it is up to the laboratory staff to close off the bag with tape and place it into a red SaniPak cart.  Red SaniPak carts are located throughout the hallways of your building.  Once waste is placed into a red SaniPak cart the custodial staff will autoclave the waste. The custodial staff is not authorized to remove autoclave waste from laboratories .   If you work in a BL-2* or a BL-3 laboratory all waste must be autoclaved before leaving the laboratory.  Laboratory personnel in BL-2* and BL-3 labs are responsible for autoclaving their waste.

6. How do I dispose of liquid biohazardous waste?

Liquid biohazardous wastes that have been disinfected, such as cell culture media and blood, can be discharged to the sanitary sewer system.  To disinfect your waste, use a 1:10 bleach to water solution of Clorox bleach (stock strength of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) and allow a contact time of 20 minutes.  Depending on the hazard and amount, a longer contact time may be needed.  If you need help deciding how long the contact time should be please call Cara Leitch at x7299. Remember the waste must not be defined as hazardous or radioactive before drain disposal.

7. How often do I need to get my autoclave recertified?

There is no policy that mandates the recertification of your autoclave.  NCI-Frederick does have a voluntary autoclave-monitoring program.  The purpose of this program is to monitor autoclaves semi-annually to ensure their effectiveness.  For more information on this voluntary program or to sign up, please contact Cara Leitch at x7299.