Infectious Waste
Ohio EPA regulates the generation and treatment of infectious waste, as authorized by Chapter 3734 of the Ohio Revised Code. Businesses generating more than fifty (50) pounds of infectious waste in any calendar month are required to register with Ohio EPA and, among other requirements, ensure all infectious waste is treated prior to ultimate disposal. Approved treatment technologies may be used onsite, or infectious wastes may be sent to a commercial treatment facility.
Ohio’s infectious waste regulations contain approved treatment methods. Most commonly, autoclave and incineration technologies are used to treat infectious waste prior to disposal. Additional approved treatment methods include chemical treatment utilizing a sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) for stocks and cultures; applied heat encapsulation for sharps; and chemical treatment utilizing peracetic acid and grinding. A business may submit a request for site-specific or statewide approval of an alternative treatment technology.
Transportation of infectious waste (hazardous material) is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). For more information regarding the transportation of infectious waste, please contact PUCO by telephone at (800) 686-PUCO (7826).
For more information about Ohio’s Infectious Waste Program, please see the menu below.
Resources
- Approved Infectious Waste Alternative Treatment Technologies
- CDC Guidance - Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
- CDC Guidance - Cleaning and Disinfection for Households
- Registered Generator List
- Ohio EPA Information Subscription Page
- Infectious Waste Forms
What's New
August 15, 2022 Ohio EPA Provides COVID-19 Test Kit Disposal Guidance
The Ohio EPA has made the determination that unused and expired COVID-19 test kits do not meet the regulatory definition of an infectious waste and may be disposed as a solid waste.
July 12, 2021 Ohio EPA Provides COVID Vaccine Disposal Guidance
The Ohio EPA has made the determination that COVID-19 vaccines do not meet the regulatory definition of an infectious waste and may be disposed as a solid waste.
Please contact Central Office Infectious Waste Unit staff for questions.
Also, you can reach Shockley, Alison at (614) 728-5335
Don't Forget!
Infectious waste generator registration certificates expire every three years. Please check your registration certificate to ensure that the registration is current. In addition, any time the contact information changes or additional premises are added or deleted, the generator is responsible for updating their certificate by submitting an infectious waste generator registration form with "amendment" checked as the application type.
Guidance Documents
- Ohio EPA Guidance Document Search - Enables users to search for forms, guidance documents, publications, newsletters, checklists etc. on a variety of Ohio EPA issues and topics.
- Infectious Waste Guidance
Rules
FAQs
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Ohio EPA Answer Place - Enables users to search frequently asked questions, or submit their own question/comment on a variety of Ohio EPA issues and topics.
Contacts
| Phone: (614) 644-2621
Fax: (614) 728-5315 |
Email Webmaster |
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Physical address: |
Mailing address: |
| Field Services, Health Dept and Inspector Support | ||
| Shockley, Alison | Manager | (614) 728-5335 |
| Angel Arroyo-Rodriguez | Environmental Specialist 3, Infectious Waste, Composting | (614) 728-5336 |
| Anthony Blevins | Environmental Specialist 2, Infectious Waste and Composting | (614) 728-5328 |
| Nichols, Greg | Assistance with Applications for Generator Registration | (614) 728-5327 |
