debris.
The management plan should establish
recordkeeping systems and personnel training
programs, and should incorporate the minimally
acceptable management standards for Navy MTFs and
DTFs (as contained in BUMEDINST 6280.1,
Management of Infectious Waste).
INFECTIOUS WASTE
Infectious waste is liquid or solid waste containing
pathogens in sufficient numbers and of sufficient
virulence to cause infectious disease in susceptible
hosts exposed to the waste. Several examples are:
sharps (needles, scalpel blades),
microbiology waste (cultures, stocks containing
microbes),
pathological waste (human tissue, body parts),
liquid waste (blood, cerebrospinal fluid), and
medical waste from isolation rooms.
TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL METHODS
FOR INFECTIOUS WASTE
Several steps should be used in the treatment and
disposal of infectious waste. These steps include the
identification of waste; segregation, sorting, packaging,
2-38
Types of Infectious Waste
Methods of Treatment
Methods of Disposal
Microbiological
Steam sterilization1
Chemical disinfection2
Incineration3
Sanitary landfill
Pathological5
Incineration
3 & 4
Cremation
Sanitary landfill
Burial6
Bulk blood and other
potentially infectious
liquids
Gelatinization6
Sanitary sewer7
Sanitary landfill8
Sharps in sharps containers
Steam sterilization
Incineration
Sanitary landfill
Sanitary landfill
1For effective sterilization, the temperature must be maintained at 121E C (250E F) for at least 90 minutes, at 15 pounds
per square inch of gauge pressure. Bacillus stearothermophilus spore strips must be used weekly to test the sterilization
process.
2Chemical disinfection is most appropriate for liquids.
3Ash remaining after incineration may go directly to the sanitary landfill, unless state or local regulations require
testing the ash for characteristics of hazardous waste.
4Disposal of placentas by grinding with subsequent discharge to a sanitary sewer is acceptable unless prohibited by
county or local laws/regulations.
5Burial or cremation is acceptable.
6Must be further treated by steam sterilization or incineration.
7Discharge to a sanitary sewer is acceptable unless prohibited by county or local laws/regulations.
8Must be treated by steam sterilization or incineration before landfill disposal.
Table 2–2.—Treatment and Disposal Methods for Infectious Waste
