Managing radioactively contaminated infectious waste at a large biomedical facility

Proper management of infectious waste containing radioactive material depends on three program elements. First, screening methods are required to identify medical waste containing radioactive material. Second, a means of managing the volume of waste identified has to be developed. Management includes identifying the radioisotopes, dealing with the physical requirements of the waste (e.g., the need for cold storage), and treating the material as a mixed waste. Finally, methods to limit production of waste at its source must be implemented. This includes educating the radioactive material users, enabling them with the means of reducing waste volume, and giving them feedback on how well they are implementing the waste reduction practices.