Pathology Waste At SFSU

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Pathology waste includes biological tissues, organs, or body parts that are removed during medical or research procedures and are no longer needed for diagnostic or research purposes. This waste type requires specialized handling to ensure safety and compliance with California’s Medical Waste Management Act.

Characteristics of Pathology Waste:
• Includes recognizable human or animal tissues.
• May contain infectious agents or pose a biohazard risk.
• Requires proper containment and disposal through incineration or other approved method

Pathology Waste Information

  • Human or animal tissues and organs.
  • Biological specimens from laboratory research.
  • Carcasses or body parts from animal research.
  • Fixed or preserved tissues used in pathology studies

Environmental Health & Safety:

Dipak Janda (Dk) Email: Dipakjanda@sfsu.edu

Telephone: (415)-542-8046

  • Red Biohazard Bags: For soft tissues and organs.
  • Rigid Leak-Proof Containers: For larger specimens or carcasses.
  • Secondary Containment: To prevent leaks or spills during transport.
  • "Pathology Waste”: Clearly marked with biohazard symbols.
  • Labels must include:
    o The type of waste (e.g., "Human Tissue").
    o The accumulation start date

Pathology waste must be removed:

  • Within 7 days if stored at room temperature.
  • Within 30 days if stored at or below 0°C (freezing).

Lab personnel or trained staff transfer the waste to a designated pathology waste storage area on campus. The waste is temporarily stored in secure, refrigerated storage until collection by an approved
waste disposal vendor.

Pathology waste is picked up weekly or as required, depending on the volume generated.

After leaving SFSU, pathology waste is:
1. Incinerated: At a licensed medical waste treatment facility to ensure complete
destruction of biological materials.
2. Disposed of as Ash: The residue is sent to an approved landfill in compliance with
environmental regulations.

Contact Information

For further information about the Pathology Waste Management Program at SFSU or how you can get involved, please contact:

Environmental Compliance Specialist

Dipak Janda (Dk)