DECONTAMINATION, DECOMMISSIONING

AND WASTE DISPOSAL

By
Dr. Sheeba Naz
 Decontamination

A process whereby hazardous or infectious material are

removed and neutralized from laboratories and laboratory
equipment
 Decommissioning
The removal of chemicals, drugs, sharps, biological materials, radioactive
substances, supplies, papers/records, non-fixed equipment, and the
sanitation (removal of gross contamination) from surfaces.

To ensure that hazardous chemicals, radioactive materials, infectious

agents, gas cylinders, and laboratory equipment are safely disposed off.

Withdrawal process to ensure a facility meets environmental health and

safety standards prior to its next use.
 Sterilization

A process that completely eliminates all

living microorganisms, including
bacterial spores.

Does not apply on toxins and prions

(misfolded proteins) because they are not
living microorganisms
 Disinfection

Eliminates most forms of living

microorganisms but is less lethal than
sterilization

Reduce the level of microorganisms

 Efficiency of Disinfectants
Different factors affect the efficiency of disinfectants
 Organic matter
 Concentration of disinfectant
 Contact time
 Temperature (autoclave)
 Relative humidity
 pH
 Stability/Storage
 General Practices
All floors, bench tops, and equipment where biohazardous materials are used should be disinfected frequently .

All infectious materials and contaminated equipment should be sterilized prior to being washed, stored, or
discarded.

Use of autoclavable or disposable materials should be preferred whenever possible.

When working with infectious agents, the amount of materials and equipment present should be minimized.

All biohazardous materials should be sterilized and stored properly at the end of each day.

Suitable indicators should be used to verify autoclave performance

Clearly marked holding containers should be used such as “NON-INFECTIOUS” or “BIOHAZARDOUS TO

BE AUTOCLAVED”
 Basic Terminology
Disinfectant
A chemical substance Antisepsis Sterilant
used to kill microbes on Inhibit or eliminate An Agent or method
surfaces but too toxic to microbes on skin or used to remove or kill
be applied directly to other living tissues. all microbes
the tissues.

Sterile Bacteriostatic
Bactericidal
Free of life of every Inhibiting bacterial
killing bacteria
kind multiplication

Sanitization
Lowering microbial
count on eating and
drinking utensils to a
safe level.
 Sterilization Methods

Chemical Methods Physical Methods

 Ethylene oxide  Moist Heat in autoclaves
 Glutaraldehyde (high concentration)  Dry heat in oven
 NaOCl  Gamma irradiation
 Filtration
 Disinfection Methods
Chemical Agents Physical Methods
 Alcohols  Boiling
 Aldehyde  Pasteurization
 Halogens  UV Radiations
 Phenols
 Surfactants
 Heavy metals
 Dyes
 Oxidants
 Thermal Sterilization
Involves the use of either moist or dry heat.

Moist – heat sterilization is the most widely used and reliable sterilization
method.

Dry – heat sterilization is appropriate for materials that cannot withstand moist –
heat sterilization
 1-Moist –Heat Sterilization

A more effective method is Tyndallization, which uses three successive steam

treatments to achieve sterilization over the course of three days

An autoclave is commonly used for moist – heat sterilization .

Because it does not require as high a temperature, moist – heat sterilization cause less
product and equipment damage compared to dry – heat sterilization .
 Tyndallization
Heating the substance to boiling point (or just a little below boiling point) and holding it there for
15 minutes, three days in succession.

After each heating, the resting period will allow spores that have survived to germinate into
bacterial cells; these cells will be killed by the next day's heating.

During the resting periods the substance being sterilized is kept in a moist environment at a warm
room temperature, encouraging to germination of the spores.

When the environment is favorable for bacteria, it is helpful to the germination of cells from
spores, and spores do not form from cells in this environment

It is not often used today but is used for sterilizing some things that cannot withstand pressurized
heating.
 Autoclave
A device to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure of 15 psi with saturated steam at
121°C or more, typically for 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the load and the contents

The autoclaving process works by the concept that the boiling point of water (or steam) increases when it is under
pressure

Typical loads include laboratory glassware, other equipment and waste, surgical instruments, and medical waste.

A popular application of autoclaves is the pre-disposal treatment and sterilization of waste material, such as
pathogenic hospital waste
 2- Dry Heat Sterilization
Is appropriate for materials that cannot withstand moist – heat sterilization (e.g., oily materials and powders) .

With dry heat the bacteria are burned to death.

The dry heat sterilization process is accomplished by conduction; that is where heat is absorbed by the exterior surface of an
item and then passed inward to the next layer.

Objects are subjected to a temperature of at least 160 °C for 120 minutes ( if higher temperatures can be used , less
exposure time is required).

The total cycle time, including heating up and cooling down to 80°C can take about 10-11 hours, not the greatest solution
for an active clinic that needs its instruments to be readily available.

With forced cooling the time may be reduced to five hours

 Radiations for Sterilization

Mostly ionizing radiations are used for sterilization and disinfection

purpose

Ultraviolet and gamma rays are commonly used for sterilization.

 UV Irradiation
Electromagnetic radiations

Wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays

Short-wavelength UV (UVC) considered "germicidal UV”

Wavelengths between about 200 nm and 300 nm are strongly absorbed by nucleic acids and inactivate
microorganisms

Poor penetration

UV light sterilization is an environmentally friendly method of killing bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses
without the use of harmful chemicals

It is safely used in applications for food, air, and water purification.

The absorbed energy can result in death or inactivation of the organism.

 UV Irradiation
Bacterial spores and prions are resistant to UV light

Special protective glasses should be worn when the UV light is on and ensure there are no other people
working in the room.

A sign indicating where the UV light is and saying that it’s on should be placed at the entrance door.

UV light sterilization is typically used to disinfect incubators and laminar flow hoods, as they cannot be
autoclaved completely

Mobile parts should be exposed inside the hood at around 15cm from the light source during a few minutes
 Gamma Radiation
Gamma rays used for sterile processing are formed with the self disintegration of Cobalt-60 (60Co).

Among thousands of gamma emitters only Cobalt-60 is indicated for sterilization processing

Gamma sterilization is used to sterilize human tissue grafts which are widely used for reconstructive
surgery in many clinical disciplines

Used for sterilization of plastic ware, surgical gloves, gowns, masks, sticking plasters, dressings,
hypodermic needles, scalpels, surgical blades, adhesive dressings and thermo-labile medicines.
Ranking of Pathogens
for their relative
susceptibility against
Chemical Disinfectant
 Fumigation
Formaldehyde gas or ethylene oxide can be used for fumigation

Effective against all type of microorganisms including viruses

Greatest activity at higher temperature and humidity level of 75-100%

Formaldehyde gas has to be generated

Can be done by mixing the required quantity of formalin (37%) to water and heating at low
temperatures at 80-90°C

Also be done by addition of formalin to potassium permanganate

 Mode of Action of Disinfectant

Alteration of Damage to Rupture of cell Damage to nucleic Interfere with

membrane protein membrane acid metabolic
permeability pathways
 Cleaning

Removal of dirt, organic matter and stains

Dirt, soil and organic matter can shield microorganisms

Different methods are used for cleaning

• Brushing
• Vacuuming
• Dry dusting
• Washing or damp mopping with water containing a soap or detergent
 Decommissioning Laboratories

Decommissioning - to ensure that the laboratory is free of all hazardous materials upon
departure or re-assignment of laboratory space.

When laboratories are vacated, all chemical, radioactive and biological materials, sharps and
other wastes must be removed, transferred or disposed of properly.

Failure to take responsibility for chemicals, radioactive, or biological materials can create
dangerous and non-compliant conditions.
 Chemical Decommissioning
All chemicals, including waste chemicals, must be removed from the laboratory.

If chemicals are to be transferred to another lab located on same campus as the decommissioning laboratory,
changes should be submitted to Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).

Any remaining unwanted chemicals must be disposed of through EH&S.

No chemicals can be removed from the campus without former approval of the Office of EH&S.

Empty containers must be triple rinsed, and labels defaced prior to disposal in the regular trash.

Hazardous waste or unwanted chemicals must be disposed of as per EH&S procedures

 Radioactive Material Decommissioning
All radioisotopes must be disposed of in the appropriate waste containers recommended by the Radiation
Safety guidelines by EHS.

The radioisotopes must be removed from the laboratory through a Radiation Waste Pickup by contacting
Environmental Health & Safety

All laboratory areas will be wipe tested by Environmental Health & Safety for contamination.

If contamination is present, the area must be decontaminated to remove all radioactive contamination.

The area should be re-wipe tested until counts are below 1000 dpm/100 cm2.
 Biological Decommissioning
Biological safety cabinets may require decontamination.

All biohazardous material (biological toxins, cultures, frozen stocks, tissues, etc.) should be
disposed off by appropriate chemical destruction, autoclaving or incineration guided by EH&S.

For destruction of Selected Agents & Toxins EH&S should be contacted

All laboratory surfaces and equipment should be disinfected properly with an approved
disinfecting agent
Waste Management
 Biologicals

Any preparation made from organisms or

microorganisms, or metabolic and biochemical
products intended for use in diagnosis,
immunization or the treatment of human beings
or animals or in research activities
 Medical Waste

Any waste which is generated during diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human

beings or animal or in research activities or in the production or testing of biological
and other.

In hospital biomedical waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment or

immunization of human beings contaminated with patient’s body fluids such as
syringes, needles, ampoules, organs and body parts, placenta, dressings, disposable
plastic or microbiological waste
 Human Anatomical Waste

It comprises on human tissues, organs, and body parts, excluding hair, nails,
and teeth

Even after disinfection or decontamination, human anatomical waste is still

considered biomedical waste and may require special means of disposal
 Animal Waste
Animal waste consists of all animal
Anatomical waste (carcasses, tissues, organs, body parts),
Bedding contaminated with infectious organisms,
Blood and blood products,
Items highly contaminated with blood,
Body fluids removed for diagnosis or removed during surgery, treatment, or
autopsy.

Hair, nails, teeth, hooves, and feathers are not considered animal waste.

After disinfection or decontamination, animal waste is still considered

biomedical waste and may require special means of disposal
Microbiology and Biotechnology Waste
Microbiology laboratory waste: cultures, stocks, microorganism specimens, prions, toxins,
live or attenuated vaccines, human and animal cell cultures, and any material that has in contact
with one of these.

Inactivation of pathogens and toxins prior to disposal is a critical step in preventing release of
harmful material into the environment.

Microbiology laboratory waste is no longer considered biomedical waste once it has been
effectively decontaminated.
 Human Blood and Body Fluids
Human blood and body fluid waste: All human blood or blood products, all items saturated
with blood, any body fluid contaminated with blood, and body fluids removed for diagnosis
during surgery, treatment, or autopsy (post-mortem examination).

This does not include urine or feces

Human blood and body fluid waste is no longer considered biomedical waste once it has been
effectively decontaminated.
 Sharps Waste
Consists of needles, syringes, blades, or glass contaminated with infectious
material and capable of causing puncture wounds or cuts.

Also pipettes and pipette tips that have into contact with infectious material or
toxins, unless they have been decontaminated prior to disposal.

Sharps waste is no longer considered biomedical waste once it has been

effectively decontaminated.
 Hazardous Chemical Waste

Hazardous wastes are never to be flushed down the drain or left to evaporate as
methods of disposal.

It is practically illegal, but also can harm the environment and lead to dangerous
reactions; create immediate and future hazards for personnel as well as damage
the drainage system.
Various Technologies for Medical Waste Disposal

Wet thermal treatment

Incineration Chemical disinfection
(steam sterilization)

Microwave irradiation Land disposal Inertization

 Incineration
Burning of material for destruction

Waste treatment process (type of furnace designed for burning hazardous materials in a combustion chamber)

Use for safe disposal of microbiologically contaminated laboratory waste

It is recommended for such material to autoclave or chemically treated prior to incineration

Temperature reaches up to 350°C

The effectiveness of incineration is beyond doubt, yet the method involves serious issues concerning air quality
 The emissions of
Incineration: atmospheric pollutants are
significant.

The destruction of
Only 99% of
thermally-resistant
microorganisms are
chemicals and drugs such
destroyed.
as cytotoxics is inefficient.

Many chemicals and Black smoke, fly ash, toxic

pharmaceuticals are not flue gases, and odor
destroyed. emissions are considerable.
 Microwave Irradiation
 At a frequency of about 2450 MHz and a wavelength of 12.24 cm, microwaves destroy the majority of
microorganisms
 The microwaves rapidly heat the water the treated waste contains, and heat conduction destroys the
infectious elements
 The waste materials are first shredded and subsequently humidified and transferred to an irradiation
chamber equipped with a series of microwave generators; irradiation takes around 20 minutes.
 Following the irradiation process, the waste is compacted in a container and then released into the
municipal waste stream.
 The disadvantages of microwave treatment are:
❖ It has comparatively high investment and operating costs.
❖ There is a risk of operation and maintenance issues.
❖ It cannot treat metal.
❖ International approval is diminishing on account of the potential hazards of microwaves.
 Land Disposal

Land disposal is an acceptable solution when there is no means of

treating waste prior to its disposal.

Due to the unorganized and scattered deposit of waste at open

dumps, there may be serious pollution issues, fires, a heightened
risk of disease transmission, and ingress by human and animal
scavengers.

Medical waste must never be disposed of on or in the

vicinity of open dumps.
Deep Burial
 Inertization
The inertization process minimizes the risk of toxic materials spreading into surface water or
groundwater by mixing the waste with cement and other substances before its disposal

This solution is particularly appropriate in the cases of pharmaceuticals and incineration ashes
which have a high metal content

Inertization is relatively in-expensive, and it does not require particularly sophisticated technology.
 Inertization Process
Considering pharmaceutical waste

First the packaging is removed and then the pharmaceuticals are ground.

A mixture of water, lime, and cement is added and a homogeneous mass results.

This mass is cast into cubes (e.g. measuring 1m3) or pellets and then transported from the
treatment facility to a storage site.

The mixture containing the inert waste can also be transported to a landfill site while still
in liquid form and poured into municipal waste.