Classification of Biological-Infectious Hazardous Waste Collectors (RPBI)

According to NOM-087-ECOL-SSA1-2002 on the management of RPBI, for a waste to be considered RPBI it must contain biological-infectious agents.

The standard defines a biological-infectious agent as any organism capable of causing disease. This requires that the microorganism has the capacity to cause damage, is in a sufficient concentration, is in a suitable environment, has a route of entry and is in contact with a susceptible person.

The following are considered biological-infectious hazardous waste:

• Blood

Blood and its components, only in liquid form, as well as non-commercial derivatives, including progenitor cells, hematopoietic cells and the cellular or acellular fractions of the resulting blood (blood derivatives).

• Cultures and strains of biological-infectious agents

Cultures generated in diagnostic and research procedures, as well as those generated in the production and control of biological-infectious agents. Disposable utensils used to contain, transfer, inoculate and mix cultures of biological-infectious agents.

• Pathological

Tissues, organs and parts that are removed or excised during necropsies, surgery or any type of surgical intervention, which are not in formaldehyde. As well as biological samples for chemical, microbiological, cytological and histological analysis, excluding urine and excrement, carcasses and parts of animals that were inoculated with enteropathogenic agents in research centers and animal houses.

• Non-anatomical waste
• Disposable containers containing liquid blood; dressing materials soaked, saturated or dripping with blood or any of the following body fluids: synovial fluid, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid or peritoneal fluid.
• Disposable materials containing sputum, pulmonary secretions and any material used to contain these, from patients with suspected tuberculosis or other infectious diseases; as well as disposable materials from patients with suspected or diagnosed hemorrhagic fevers.
• Sharp Objects
• Those that have been in contact with humans or animals or their biological samples during diagnosis and treatment, only: capillary tubes, knives, lancets, disposable syringe needles, hypodermic needles, suture needles, acupuncture needles and tattoo needles, scalpels and catheter stylets, except for all broken glass material used in the laboratory, which must be disinfected or sterilized before being disposed of as municipal waste.

The following are NOT considered biological-infectious hazardous waste:

• Swabs and gauze with dried blood or stained with blood
• Glassware used in the laboratory (flasks, pipettes, Petri dishes)
• Urine and stool samples for laboratory analysis
• Tissues, body parts in formalin
• Waste (diapers, sanitary napkins, condoms, etc.) from patients who are not suspected of having any infectious-contagious disease, such as trauma patients, women in labor, or chronic-degenerative diseases, should not be considered RPBI.

For proper handling of RPBI, it is essential to identify the waste in order to package it appropriately.

• Waste Identification

For proper identification and subsequent packaging, waste must be separated according to its physical state (liquid or solid) and type (blood, cultures, pathological, non-anatomical waste, or sharp objects).

• Packaging of the waste generated

Once identified and separated according to type and physical state, the waste must be packaged according to the following table:

The reason for using different containers for different RPBI is because different wastes have different processes in their final disposal.

IMPORTANT :

• Bags must be closed with a secure tying mechanism that prevents waste from coming out (knot or adhesive tape).
• Collection bags should not be filled more than 80% of their capacity.
• Once packaged, the bags should not be compressed.
• Common garbage will be placed in plastic containers or bags of any color except red or yellow.
• To prevent RPBI from being mixed with regular garbage, a site must be pre-established for the temporary storage of RPBI, which must be stored in containers with lids and remain closed at all times.
• The storage area must be clearly marked and the containers clearly identified, depending on the type of waste they contain.

Biological-Infectious Hazardous Waste can represent a health risk for the population inside and outside health institutions, so it is necessary to learn about their proper management, as well as the risks to which one may be exposed.