Biological Waste is also commonly referred to as Special Medical Waste or Pathological Waste.  This type of waste is considered potentially contaminated with infectious agents, human, animal tissues, body fluids, or sharps.

In order to keep a clean and safe environment, EHS disposes of Biological Waste following federal, state, and local regulations. The three major waste streams (chemical, biological, and radioactive) must be kept separate as much as possible. If mixed waste is unavoidable, contact EHS at 410-706-7055.

Biomedical waste consists of all biological, pathological and infectious wastes which include:

• Anatomical Material
  • Human or animal body parts including tissues and organs or whole animal carcasses (except those containing radioactive materials).
• Blood
  • Human or animal, whole or blood components.
• Blood-soiled Articles
  • Any article that contains blood in any form as a result of contact with blood.
• Sharps
  • Syringes, needles, surgical instruments such as scalpels, razor blades or other articles which have cut or punctured human skin or have come in contact with an infectious agent as defined by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations. Any sharps contaminated with radioactive material should go through the radioactive waste stream.
• Unused cultures and stocks of infectious agents
• Biologically Contaminated Laboratory Materials
  1. Any article that is contaminated with or has come in contact with a pathogenic or infectious organism such as Petri dishes, glassware, etc. This category includes microbiological cultures, clinical specimens (urine, feces, etc), and contaminated animal bedding.

All biomedical waste must be either treated and disposed of as solid waste or consigned to Environmental Health and Safety for incineration at the EHS facility on site.

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