What is the proper disposal method for microbiologic waste?

What is the proper disposal method for microbiologic waste?

• A. Microbiologic waste by steam sterilization
• B. Xylene into the sewer system
• C. Mercury by burial
• D. Radioactive waste by incineration

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to inactivate any infectious agents before disposal. Steam sterilization (autoclaving) accomplishes this by using saturated steam under pressure to reach temperatures around 121°C for a sufficient time, killing bacteria, viruses, and spores present in microbiologic waste. After autoclaving, the waste is rendered noninfectious and can be disposed of as nonhazardous or as regulated medical waste per local rules. Other disposal paths don’t achieve this inactivation and introduce additional hazards: xylene into the sewer system is chemical waste and does not kill microbes; mercury burial handles a toxic metal, not infectious material; radioactive waste incineration is for radioactive substances and requires specialized regulatory controls.

The key idea is to inactivate any infectious agents before disposal. Steam sterilization (autoclaving) accomplishes this by using saturated steam under pressure to reach temperatures around 121°C for a sufficient time, killing bacteria, viruses, and spores present in microbiologic waste. After autoclaving, the waste is rendered noninfectious and can be disposed of as nonhazardous or as regulated medical waste per local rules.

Other disposal paths don’t achieve this inactivation and introduce additional hazards: xylene into the sewer system is chemical waste and does not kill microbes; mercury burial handles a toxic metal, not infectious material; radioactive waste incineration is for radioactive substances and requires specialized regulatory controls.