Infectious Waste Program

The Infectious Waste Program (IW/Compost Unit) regulates the generation, treatment, packaging, storage, transportation, and disposal of infectious waste in the state.  The detailed requirements can be found in Ohio Revised Code Chapter (ORC) 3734. Ohio Administrative Code Chapters (OAC) 3745-27 and 3745-37. Depending upon the amount of infectious waste generated in a calendar month a person is considered to be a small generator (less than 50 lbs per month) or a large generator (50 lbs or more a calendar month). A large generator must submit a registration application to the Ohio EPA.

In Ohio, infectious waste is defined by categories. It should be noted that nearly all of the categories of infectious waste depend upon the presence of infectious agents or the possibility of the presence of infectious agents.  The exceptions to this are the blood and blood products, cultures, and sharps categories which the generator must handle as an infectious waste. Below is a list of the specific categories of infectious waste.

Categories of Infectious Waste

1. Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals. This includes specimen cultures, cultures and stocks of infectious agents, wastes from the production of biologicals, and discarded live and attenuated vaccines.
    
2. Laboratory wastes that were, or were likely to have been, in contact with infectious agents that may present a substantial threat to public health if improperly managed.
    
3. Pathological wastes, including human and animal tissues, organs, and body parts, and body fluids and excreta that are contaminated with or are likely to be contaminated with infectious agents, removed or obtained during surgery or autopsy or for diagnostic evaluation, provided that, with regard to pathological waste from animals, the animals have or are likely to have been exposed to a zoonotic or infectious agent.
    
4. Waste materials from the rooms of humans, or the enclosures of animals, that have been isolated because of diagnosed communicable disease that are likely to transmit infectious agents. Such waste materials from the rooms of humans do not include any system established by the Centers for Disease Control, unless specific wastes generated under the universal precautions system have been identified as infectious wastes by the Public Health Council in rules adopted in accordance with ORC Chapter 119.
    
5. Human and animal blood specimens and blood products that are being disposed of, provided that, with regard to blood specimens and blood products from animals, the animals were or are likely to have been exposed to a zoonotic or infectious agent.  "Blood products" does not include patient care waste such as bandages or disposable gowns that are lightly soiled with blood or other body fluids, unless the generator determines that they are soiled to the extent that they should be managed as infectious wastes.
    
6. Contaminated carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that were intentionally exposed to infectious agents from zoonotic or human diseases during research, production of biologicals, or testing or pharmaceuticals, and carcasses and bedding of animals otherwise infected by zoonotic or infectious agents that may present a substantial threat to public health if improperly managed.
    
7. Sharp wastes used in the treatment or inoculation of human beings or animals.  Also sharp wastes that have or are likely to have, come into contact with infectious agents in medical, research, or industrial laboratories. Sharp wastes include, but are not limited to, hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and glass articles that have been broken.
    
8. Any other waste materials generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, research pertaining to the immunization of human beings or animals, or in the production or testing or biologicals, that the public health council identifies as infectious wastes after determining that the wastes present a substantial threat to human health when improperly managed because they are, or may be, contaminated with infectious agents.
    
9. Any other waste materials the generator designates as infectious wastes.

Infectious Waste Program

Transporters of Infectious Waste

Any person who transports infectious wastes must register with the Director. A motor vehicle not identified on a valid registration certificate may not be used for transporting untreated infectious wastes. Requests for applications may be made either in writing or by telephone. A completed application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable registration fee of $300 per vehicle. A check for the derived total, made payable to the "Treasurer - State of Ohio", is then sent with the completed application.  An application, if found to be incomplete, will be returned to the applicant, who then has 15 days to resubmit a completed application.  If, at anytime, the number of vehicles in the fleet either increases, decreases, or vehicles are replaced, an amended registration certificate must be obtained 30 days prior to vehicle utilization. When there is a fleet decrease, no refund shall be issued. When the number of vehicles increases, the application for the amended registration certificate must be accompanied by a fee prorated on an annual basis according to the time remaining in the registration cycle.  Fee exemption is provided for a generator who holds a valid certificate as a generator of infectious wastes and who only transports infectious wastes that were generated at premises owned or operated by the generator. An emergency registration process is to be used by currently registered transporters who experience a vehicle breakdown, are acting in response to a treatment facility closure and/or activation of a contingency plan, or need additional vehicles to respond to a health epidemic.

Home Generated Infectious Waste Disposal Options:

A person who generates sharp wastes ("sharps" include lancets, hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and non household glass articles that have been broken) for the purpose of their own care or treatment in their home is considered a home sharps user. For example, an insulin dependent diabetic or a terminally ill person being cared for by family members and given injections.  Disposing of loose needles and syringes into the household waste poses a risk to family members and solid waste workers who must handle the waste.  While Ohio law allows the disposal of sharps used by an individual for purposes of his/her own care or treatment in their home into the solid waste stream, it is important to recognize the hazard they pose to solid waste workers.  Solid waste workers handle waste containers without knowledge of the contents.

It is recommended that home generated sharps be packaged into a rigid container and marked with the wording sharps prior to disposal into the solid waste stream. Common household containers which meet the description of rigid are: liquid detergent & bleach bottles, 2 liter pop bottles, and coffee can if the lid is securely taped to the can. In addition, the person may contact their local health department or hospital to inquire if they would accept the home generated sharps.

Expired/Outdated Medicines Disposal Options:

Please contact the State Pharmacy Board at (614) 466-4143 for assistance. Most nonprescription drugs (aspirins, over-the-counter medicines) are considered a solid waste.

Approved Infectious Waste Alternative Treatment Technologies:

An alternative infectious waste treatment technology is any combination of methods, techniques, practices, designs, constructions, operations, process and/or equipment intended to treat infectious waste that is not specified in Rule 3745-27-32 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).  An alternative treatment technology may obtain statewide or site-specific approval in accordance with OAC Rule 3745-27-38.  Below are tables containing the approved alternative infectious waste treatment technologies with their respective approval letters.