Decontamination and Disposal of Waste

Sharps Containers:

Sharps containers provided by LAMS are found near large animal rooms and in all necropsy and surgical rooms.

If using sharps in a rodent room, please be advised that LAMS will not provide the container.  However, you can store a sharps container in the housing room provided there is a lab name written on the container.  The lab is responsible for disposal of Sharps container. 

NEVER LEAVE SHARPS EXPOSED

Biohazard Waste:   

LAMS supplies all ABSL2 rooms with biohazard waste barrels.  All disposable PPE and animal bedding from ABSL2 rooms must be disposed in these barrels.  Animals from ABSL2 rooms must be euthanized in the housing room and placed into a biohazard bag (double bagged) and kept in the refrigerator until further disposal.   

LAMS also supplies biohazard waste barrels in all necropsy rooms.   

Barrels can be placed in other areas per request and available space.

Chemical Waste:

LAMS supplies chemical barrels to rooms that house animals treated with chemical agents.  The approved Safety Action Plan (SAP) will specify details if in question.  All PPE and animal bedding must be disposed in these barrels.   Animals must be euthanized in the housing room and disposed of per SAP. 

If you have other chemical waste not related to the animal, it must be disposed by your lab.

Note:  All ABSL2 and Chemical waste is disposed through UC’s EH&S Department. 

Decontamination of Equipment from ABSL2 and Chemical Hazardous rooms:

All caging and equipment leaving ABSL2 and Chemical Hazardous rooms must be decontaminated using approved disinfectant. 

All dirty cages and equipment is left in the animal room by the researchers.  Cages must have filter top on them to prevent release of air borne contamination of animal room.  

The decontamination process is completed by LAMS animal technicians.