Use of proper sterilizing and disinfecting methods should be the primary treatment techniques for deactivating and disposing of biohazardous materials as regular solid waste. If you suspect that a proposed activity might produce biohazardous materials that are difficult or expensive to dispose, or have multiple hazards (biohazard, chemical, radioactive), contact hazmat@missouri.edu for guidance before conducting your activity.
Biohazardous Waste Description
Biohazardous Material: material contaminated with an infectious agent or substance derived from an organism which poses a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals, or plants. The risk can be direct through infection, or indirect through damage to ecosystems.
Biohazardous Waste (Bio-Waste): waste containing biohazardous materials or harmful biologic agents.
Biohazardous waste can include biologic materials used in research, regulated medical waste, prion or animal-prion waste, animal and contaminated food-supply waste, or samples of microorganisms or toxins from a biological source that can impact human health or the environment.
Biohazardous materials that have not been rendered innocuous or determined to be non-infectious by the Principal Investigator or their authorized representative should be considered biohazardous waste. These include:
- Blood and blood products - human blood, blood products (serum, plasma and other blood components) and body fluids.
- Sharps - needles, syringes, scalpels and glass vials (see Appendix J)
- Microbiologicals – including all cultures and stocks of biohazardous material (see Section 1.2).
- Pathologicals - including tissues, organs, body parts, all transgenic animal parts and carcasses discarded from surgical, obstetrical, autopsy and laboratory research procedures.
- Broken glass that cannot be properly decontaminated (see Appendix J).
Definitions derived from the CDC's Guidelines for Biosafety Laboratory Competency. See Appendix A of https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6002.pdf for more.
Biohazardous Waste Disposal Policies
Biohazardous materials that have not been inactivated or rendered innocuous must be disposed by EHS or a biohazard-waste disposal vendor approved by EHS. Biohazardous materials must be properly labeled, packaged, and stored prior to transport.
Packaging and Labels -- Packaging and labels will be provided by EHS or their authorized biohazard-waste disposal vendor, with the exception of special packaging for articles that could potentially puncture standard waste receptacles.
- All biohazardous waste must ultimately be accumulated/packaged in approved containers in order for it to be disposed of by EHS or their authorized waste disposal vendor. Containers other than the ones designated by EHS will generally not be accepted for disposal until they have been transferred into approved containers.
- Articles that could puncture bags or boxes ("sharps") must be placed in puncture-proof containers available from University Hospital Materials Management (882-2805), or from other commercial sources. The full sharps container must then be placed into an approved waste disposal box or plastic tote. Refer to Appendix J of the Biosafety Manual for specific information.
- All biohazardous materials, including diagnostic specimens and biological products, must be packaged to prevent leakage of contents during handling and transportation. Leaking containers or improperly packaged sharps will not be accepted for disposal.
- Label all containers of biohazardous waste with the date when accumulation begins. There is a green Hazardous Waste label (EHS HWL 12/24) available from EHS for this purpose.
Dispose of biohazardous waste in a timely fashion: According to MU policy, all containers of biohazardous material are to be turned over to EHS within six (6) months of the accumulation start date. All material that could become putrid must be refrigerated until picked up by EHS or authorized waste vendors. Avoid large accumulations of biohazardous waste.
Segregate biohazardous material from unwanted chemical and radioactive materials: Multiple hazard (biohazard, chemical, radioactive) segregation must take all potential hazard classifications into account. Contact EHS for guidance.
Use compatible containers and closures: Containers for biohazardous material must be in good condition, not react with other materials present and supplied by EHS or authorized biohazardous waste vendors.
Good housekeeping: Good housekeeping is the most important action to improve safety and minimize waste. Clean up spills and releases promptly and thoroughly using approved methods.
Collection: Collection points for biohazardous waste are present at several locations on campus and may be more convenient for some laboratories than submitting waste pickup-requests. Contact EHS for the nearest collection point location and to determine availability. If a collection point is not available, you will need to submit a request through Environmental Health & Safety Assistant. Tutorials on EHS Assistant are available here.
Training: Training on handling and disposal of biohazardous materials is freely provided by EHS to MU Faculty and Staff. To access online training materials, follow the guidance on our Training page and look for the courses on MU-specific biosafety policies and on DOT regulations for shipping medical waste (courses EHS201 and EHS530, respectively). For questions related to training, contact EHS at 573-882-7018.