Isabella Carter
Biohazardous waste is a term used to classify laboratory waste that is considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans. Each laboratory space that uses biohazardous materials is assigned one of the four biosafety levels (BSLs) based on the degree of risk posed by the biohazardous materials. BSL-2 labs, for example, handle microbes that pose moderate hazards to lab personnel and the environment. These labs must have access to equipment capable of decontaminating waste, such as incinerators and autoclaves. This article will explore the specific types of waste that constitute biohazardous waste in a BSL-2 lab and the safety protocols in place to manage them.
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What You'll Learn
Waste from viral vector experiments
Biohazardous waste is laboratory waste that is considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans. BSL-2 labs handle potentially deadly infectious agents and therefore have specific safety protocols in place.
Viral vectors are derived from viruses that can infect people, animals, and cells. They are used in both basic biological research and clinical therapy. Some viral vectors are inert, while others can cause diseases. The use of viral vectors in research presents unique health and safety challenges due to the rapid development of gene-editing technologies. Viral vectors have the potential to infect not only experimental specimens but also laboratory researchers, making their use a biosafety concern.
BSL-2 contaminated pipettes and tips should be discarded in approved sharps containers. Serological pipettes and tips can be decontaminated prior to disposal by exposing them to an approved disinfectant, such as a freshly prepared 1:10 dilution of bleach, for at least 20 minutes. However, they are still considered puncture hazards and should be disposed of in a "Broken Glass" box.
Viral vector waste may also include plates, flasks, media, and human or non-human primate specimen cultures and cells. Recognisable human anatomical parts must be labelled "Pathology Waste – For Incineration Only".
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Human and non-human primate cells
Human cells and tissues carry the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Non-human primate cells and tissues also present risks, including the Herpes B virus. Cells transformed with viral agents, such as SV-40, EBV, or HBV, and cells carrying viral genomic material, also fall into this category. All of these must be handled with BSL-2 practices and containment.
Biohazardous wastes are laboratory wastes considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans. They are produced through Biosafety Level-2 (BSL-2) work, which involves handling agents that pose a moderate risk to lab workers and the environment. BSL-2 labs must have access to equipment capable of decontaminating waste, such as incinerators and autoclaves. Procedures that could cause infection from aerosols or splashes must be performed within a biological safety cabinet.
It is essential to follow proper waste management procedures to ensure the safe disposal of human and non-human primate cells. This includes using approved sharps containers for contaminated pipets and tips and properly labelling containers with the date, time, and "Biohazardous liquid" if they will be left unattended. The laboratory should have written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling and disposal as part of an Exposure Control Plan or Biosafety Manual.
The CDC sets biosafety levels to indicate the specific controls a laboratory must implement for the containment of microbes and biological agents. BSL-2 labs build upon the safety protocols of BSL-1, with more restrictive access and the requirement to use personal protective equipment (PPE), including lab coats, gloves, eye protection, and sometimes face shields.
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Recognisable human anatomical parts
In a BSL-2 lab, it is imperative to have access to equipment capable of decontaminating waste, such as incinerators and autoclaves. All procedures that could result in infection from aerosols or splashes must be performed within a biological safety cabinet. Recognisable human anatomical parts must be labelled as "Pathology Waste – For Incineration Only" and placed in red biohazard bags or appropriate labelled containers. These bags or containers must be rigid, leak-proof, and sealed with the universal biohazard symbol displayed.
The handling and disposal of biohazardous waste are strictly regulated to prevent infection of personnel and release into the environment. It is important to have a robust waste management plan in place, especially when dealing with sensitive and infectious waste. Laboratories should have written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the handling and disposal of biohazardous waste, including recognisable human anatomical parts.
When collecting and disposing of biohazardous waste, it is crucial to match the container size to the waste generation rate. This minimises the need to dispose of partially filled containers. Sharps, which include all syringes, lancets, and similar medical instruments, must be collected in rigid, leak-proof containers that are resistant to puncture. These containers must be designed to safely introduce sharps but prevent their retrieval. Sharps containers must be red, labelled with the biohazard symbol, and autoclave-treated if possible.
Overall, the proper management of recognisable human anatomical parts as biohazardous waste in a BSL-2 lab is essential to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel and the surrounding environment.
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Cultures and wastes from bacteria, viruses, spores
Biohazardous waste is considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans and is produced as a result of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) work. BSL-2 laboratories are designated for research involving animals infected with agents that pose moderate health hazards to humans, such as certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Cultures and Wastes from Bacteria, Viruses, and Spores
BSL-2 laboratories handle cultures and wastes from bacteria, viruses, and spores that are classified as Risk Group 2. These include:
- Human or non-human primate specimen cultures and cells, including established cell lines.
- Cultures and wastes from the production of Risk Group 2 bacteria, viruses, and spores.
- Discarded live and attenuated vaccines.
It is crucial to handle and dispose of these biohazardous materials properly to prevent potential infections and adverse effects on humans and the environment.
Handling and Disposal Procedures
To ensure the safe handling and disposal of cultures and wastes from bacteria, viruses, and spores in a BSL-2 lab, the following procedures should be implemented:
- Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including lab coats, gloves, eye protection, and face shields, if necessary.
- All procedures that can cause infection from aerosols or splashes must be performed within a biological safety cabinet (BSC).
- Decontaminate all infectious materials prior to disposal, commonly through the use of autoclaves or other approved disinfectants.
- Collect waste into containers marked "Unwanted Materials" and date when you start collecting.
- When the container is full or after six months, arrange for proper pickup and disposal through the designated system.
- For liquid cultures, follow the instructions on the packaging or consult the Biosafety Officer for advice on appropriate disinfectants and disposal procedures.
- Sharps waste, including contaminated pipets and tips, should be discarded in approved sharps containers.
- Ensure proper labelling and storage of biohazardous waste, following the guidelines provided by your laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and biosafety guidelines.
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Decontamination of infectious materials
Biohazardous wastes are laboratory wastes considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans, resulting from Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) work. BSL-2 labs handle agents associated with human diseases, including pathogenic or infectious organisms that pose a moderate health hazard if inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the skin.
BSL-2 labs must have equipment capable of decontaminating waste, such as incinerators and autoclaves. Infectious materials should be decontaminated before disposal, typically through autoclaving. Autoclaves are widely used for disinfection, generating steam to sterilise biohazardous waste.
For example, serological pipets and tips can be decontaminated by exposing their inner and outer surfaces to an approved disinfectant, such as a freshly prepared 1:10 dilution of bleach, for at least 20 minutes. After disinfection, they can be placed in a "Broken Glass" box, a rigid puncture-resistant container lined with a plastic bag.
Other waste, such as plates, flasks, pipets, media, and human or non-human primate specimen cultures, should be collected in containers marked "Unwanted Materials" with the date. When full or after six months, whichever comes first, arrange for a pickup by specialised staff. If the container is left unattended, label it with the date, time, and the words "Biohazardous liquid", and place it in a secondary container.
Additionally, all procedures that could cause infection from aerosols or splashes must be performed within a biological safety cabinet.
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Frequently asked questions
Any waste that is considered infectious or potentially infectious to humans, including waste from experiments with BSL-2 recombinant viral vectors, human or non-human primate specimen cultures and cells, cultures and wastes from the production of Risk Group 2 bacteria, viruses, spores, and discarded vaccines, recognizable human anatomical parts, and tissues, fluids, or carcasses from non-human primates or animals exposed.
Waste containers should be solid-sided, leak-proof, lined with red biohazard bags, and labeled with a biohazard symbol. The containers should be kept closed unless someone is adding waste to them. When the bag is 3/4 full, it should be loosely tied or taped closed, and the container should be moved to a storage location or a biohazardous waste storage room.
Waste should be collected into containers marked "Unwanted Materials" with the date of starting collection. When full or after 6 months, whichever is sooner, a pickup should be arranged. If the container is left unattended, it should be labeled with the date, time, and the words "Biohazardous liquid" and kept in a secondary container. Liquid and solid waste should be separated, and liquids and solids should be managed separately.
