Generator:  The University of Chicago, for regulatory purposes, would be identified as the generator of potentially infectious waste, as defined in this policy and procedure.

Potentially Infectious Waste:

Animal Waste: Discarded material originating from animals inoculated with agents infectious to humans during research, production of biologicals or pharmaceutical testing (e.g., carcasses, body parts, blood and bedding of animals known to have been in contact with agents infectious to humans).

Blood and Blood Products:  Discarded waste human blood and blood components (e.g., serum, plasma), and disposable items containing free flowing blood and blood components.

Note:  Diapers and tissue would not be considered potentially infectious waste unless the items meet the criteria set forth this document.

Isolation Waste:  Discarded waste material contaminated with excretions, exudates and secretions from human beings with highly communicable diseases.

Pathological/Anatomical:  Human pathological waste (e.g., tissues; organs; body parts - except teeth and the contiguous structures of bone and gum; body fluids that are removed during surgery, autopsy, or other medical procedures; and specimens of body fluids and their containers).

Sharps:  Discarded sharps used in animals, human patient care, medical research or clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories (e.g., hypodermic, intravenous and other medical needles; hypodermic and intravenous syringes; pasteur pipettes; scalpel blades; blood vials and broken or unbroken glassware in contact with infectious agents, including slides and cover slips).

Stock Cultures/Agents:  Cultures and stocks of agents infectious to humans and associated biologicals (e.g., cultures from pathological laboratories; cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research or industrial laboratories; waste from the production of biologicals; discarded live and attenuated vaccines; and culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures).

Unused Sharps:  This waste shall include, but not be limited to, the following unused, discarded sharps: hypodermic, intravenous, or other needles; hypodermic or intravenous syringes, or scalpel blades.

Putrescent:  The partial decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms so as to cause malodors, gases or other offensive conditions or that is capable of providing food for vectors.

Resuable Container:  A receptacle that meets the following conditions:

• Rigid;
• Leak resistant;
• Impervious to moisture;
• Sufficient strength to prevent tearing or bursting under normal conditions of use and handling;
• Sealed to prevent leakage during transport;
• Corrosion resistant;
• Non-absorbant; and
• Designed and ocnstructed to permit easy cleaning and disinfection.

Sharps Container:  A receptacle that in addition to meeting the conditions of a reusable container, is also puncture resistant.

Storage:  Containment of waste, either on a temorary basis or for a period of years, in such a manner as not to constitute disposal.

Transfer Station:  A site or facility that accepts waste for temporary storage or consolidation prior to shipment to a treatment facility.

Vector:  Any living agent, other than human, capable of transmitting directly or indirectly an infectious disease.