Professional Trace Chemo Disposal in El Paso
Drugs and materials used in chemotherapy treatments pose a unique set of challenges for facilities in terms of their segregation and disposal. This type of waste must be managed and disposed of following local, state, and federal regulations and is therefore subject to confusion. Mediwaste Disposal is your trace chemo disposal source.
What Classifies as Trace Chemo Waste?
This type of waste is produced in facilities that deal with or provide chemotherapy drugs and/or treatments. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) defined and classified related chemotherapy drugs as hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
RCRA has been the foundational source to understanding what constitutes chemotherapy waste. Materials that come into contact with the chemotherapy drugs will be considered hazardous and require a black bin. Some materials, however, may not come directly into contact with the chemotherapy drugs and can be segregated separately.
Chemotherapy Drugs Classified as Hazardous Waste
The nine chemotherapy drugs that are defined and classified as hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under RCRA include:
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Arsenic trioxide
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Chlorambucil
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Cyclophosphamide
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Duncomycin
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Diethylstilbestrol
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Melphalan
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Mitomycin C
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Streptozotocin
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Uracil mustard
What is Included in Chemotherapy Waste?
Trace chemo waste or bulk waste includes various materials that come in direct contact with chemotherapy drugs, or are part of cleaning materials or personal protective materials worn by healthcare professionals.
Trace chemotherapy waste includes:
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Items that are contaminated with residue of chemotherapy drugs. This category includes drug bottles, drug dispensing devices, tubing, or IV bags.
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Materials used when administering the drug that may have had some trace exposure. They include gloves, gowns, and goggles.
Bulk chemotherapy is:
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Items that are exposed to the drugs to a higher degree. This includes IV bags with remaining liquid
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Protective equipment that has been contaminated with the chemotherapy drugs by having the drugs spill on them, etc.
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Clean up materials used in spills.
Proper Segregation & Treatment of Chemo Trace Waste
Because of the complex nature of regulations and requirements surrounding chemotherapy drugs, there is often confusion regarding the separation and disposal. Depending on whether the waste is unused, expired, or discontinued, there will be a different process or bin.
Some unused chemo drugs can be donated to participating facilities in drug take-back or reuse programs. If drugs are unused or unopened, they may often qualify for return to the drug manufacturer. If they can no longer be used, they are considered waste and need to be disposed of properly.
For non-hazardous and trace chemotherapy wastes that may include gloves, gowns, and other trace materials, a yellow bin has become customary. If they are sharp wastes with trace chemo, then a sharp-designated bin must be used.
Bulk hazardous chemotherapy wastes must be managed as hazardous materials and segregated according to EPA and OSHA requirements. These usually use a black bin.
How We Help Facilities Properly Dispose of Trace Chemo and Hazardous Waste
At Mediwaste Disposal, we specialize in the collecting, treating, and disposing of these various types of trace chemo wastes. We guarantee a fully compliant and safe treatment and disposal. Whether they are hazardous materials that require incineration or nonhazardous requiring disposal in designated facilities, we take care of the job from start to finish.
Avoid Liability and Fines — Properly Dispose of Trace Chemo Wastes
When working with Mediwaste Disposal you don’t have to worry about a third party. We have our own highly trained drivers and our own disposal facilities. Call us today and get a free quote.