How to Dispose of Biohazard Waste Bags

Biohazard medical bags are designed for medical waste. However, it is important for users to know which things they should put in red bags, and what should go in the trash. These bags can be used to dispose of liquid or solid medical waste contaminated with blood or any other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Here we will discuss how to dispose of biohazard waste bags, and what you should place in the bags.

What are Other Potentially Infectious Materials?

Typically, human bodily fluids will be placed in a biohazard waste bag. It can be human body fluids such as vaginal secretions, semen, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid, and amniotic fluid. Saliva that has blood in it (or any bodily fluid that looks visible contaminated with your blood) will also be placed in the bag. Any unfixed human organ or tissue from a human will also come in this category. Are you still confused? Do you want more clarification for the proper usage?  To help out, followings are the details.

How to Dispose of Biohazard Waste Bags

• You should dispose of biohazardous wastes in the red bags.  These bags are designed to contain only biohazardous waste
• If you are placing any sharps in the waste bag, place it in a      sharps container first, so the sharps don’t puncture the biohazard waste bag.
• You should check the reliability and construction of the red bag before lining in your medical waste bin.
• Separate and level the materials before putting them in the red bag
• You should always seal the red bag after removing it from your waste bin
• Use protective equipment such as the apron, gloves, eye protection, and face mask while handling those red bags

What You Should Avoid Putting in the Red Bag?

The red bags are specifically designed for biohazardous waste and OPIM. Do not places any of the items below in a biohazard waste bag:

• Chemicals: including corrosives, formaldehyde, solvents, waste oils, alcohols, and anything similar.
• Materials containing lead
• Radioactive waste
• Human remains including torsos, fetal remains, and cadavers
• Pharmaceutical Waste
• Hazardous waste including batteries light bulbs, and heavy metals
• Chemotherapy waste
• Compressed gas cylinders, aerosol cans, and inhalers
• Uncontaminated solid waste including beverage containers and food wrappers
• Empty intravenous tubing without any visible blood present
• Sphygmomanometers, glass thermometers, and any other device that contains mercury
• Mercury-containing dental wastes including contact and non-contact amalgam products, vacuum pump filters, amalgam sludge, chairside traps, empty amalgam capsules, and extracted teeth with mercury filling

Now you might have an idea on how to dispose of biohazard waste bags.  With right usage, you will have to focus on the right disposal of red bags as well. Biohazard waste bags should be disposed of properly, and not like typical waste. You should contact licensed medical waste contractors for proper disposal. If you are looking to dispose of biohazard properly, or how to dispose of body fluids specifically,  Trauma Scene has trained professionals to take care of all of your waste and clean-up needs.