All About Chemotherapy/Chemo Waste
Out of all the medical procedures, chemotherapy generates some of the most hazardous waste in the medical field. Here’s what you need to know.
Chemotherapy generates some of the most hazardous waste in the medical field simply because these substances are highly toxic and corrosive. Chemotherapy/chemo waste is characterized as a hazardous chemical waste by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and must be managed as biomedical waste.
There are several chemotherapy drugs that designate as RCRA hazardous waste, either as P- or U-listed hazardous wastes or as characteristic hazardous wastes. Facilities must manage chemotherapy (chemo) and hazardous drug waste separately from other waste streams such as biohazardous waste.
Some chemotherapy drugs include:
- Chlorambucil
- Diethylstilbestrol
- Streptozotocin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Melphalan
- Uracil mustard
- Daunomycin
- Mitomycin C
Of course, chemotherapy waste isn’t exclusive to just the drugs used for treatment. There is also waste that is known as “trace” chemotherapy/chemo waste, which includes items used by healthcare professionals to administer the drugs, such as:
- IV Bags
- Tubing
- P-Listed Chemotherapy agents
- Chemotherapy containers
- Needles
- Gloves
- Gowns (that have been used during infusions)
Any PPE or other materials used during infusions that are not visibly contaminated.
Federal and state regulations and guidelines exist for the use, handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of chemotherapy drugs in clinical and research settings.
Staff must follow safety precautions when working with hazardous drugs, especially chemotherapy waste. These include use of exhausted enclosures, procedures to avoid personal exposure and contaminating surfaces, personal protective equipment (PPE), and training of personnel in hazard awareness and safe work practices. Just like all medical waste, there are specific requirements, safety procedures and compliance issues related to chemotherapy waste.
For clinics, treatments centers and other healthcare providers, it’s critical to maintain safe practices when providing chemotherapy to patients to ensure that any waste is disposed of properly.
Red Bags utilizes color-coded equipment to ensure that our clients stay in compliance. As with other hazardous and medical waste materials, following best practices when it comes to disposal of chemo waste is key. Through the use of special yellow bags and incineration only boxes, our clients can be confident that waste is properly segregated.
Get help from a licensed, experienced medical waste disposal company like Red Bags. We can create a fully compliant chemotherapy/chemo waste disposal plan that fits your specific needs.
You Might Also Like:
- Medical Waste Manifests and Tracking Forms: How Long Do I Need to Retain These?
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Why It’s a Must for Worker Safety
- Top 5 Medical Waste Violations: Is Your Facility Guilty?
Service Areas: Long Island Medical Waste; New York City Medical Waste; Westchester Medical Waste and more!