Texas Administrative Code
Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES
Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Subchapter K - DEFINITION, TREATMENT, AND DISPOSITION OF SPECIAL WASTE FROM HEALTH CARE-RELATED FACILITIES
Section 1.136 - Approved Methods of Treatment and Disposition

Universal Citation: 25 TX Admin Code § 1.136

Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025

(a) Introduction. The following treatment and disposition methods for special waste from health care-related facilities are approved by the department for the waste specified. Where a special waste from a health care-related facility is also subject to the sections in Chapter 289 of this title (relating to Radiation Control), the sections in Chapter 289 shall prevail over the sections in this subchapter. Disposal of special waste from health care-related facilities in sanitary landfills or otherwise is under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is governed by its rules found in 30 TAC Chapter 326 (relating to Medical Waste Management) and Chapter 330 (relating to Municipal Solid Waste).

(1) Animal waste. Animal waste shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(A) Carcasses of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) carcasses of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas;

(iv) carcasses of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are not contagious may be sent to a rendering plant;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(B) Body parts of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) steam disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(iii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) body parts of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(C) Bulk whole blood, serum, plasma, and/or other blood components from animals intentionally exposed to pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) steam disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(iii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) thermal inactivation followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(vi) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vii) chemical disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(viii) bulk blood, serum, plasma, and/or other blood components of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas;

(ix) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(x) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(xi) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(D) Bedding of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) bedding of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas;

(iv) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vi) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(2) Bulk human blood, bulk human blood products, and bulk human body fluids. Bulk human blood, blood products, and body fluids shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(A) discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(B) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(C) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(D) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(E) chemical disinfection followed by grinding and flushing into a sanitary sewer system;

(F) thermal inactivation, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(G) thermal inactivation, followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(H) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(I) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(J) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(3) Microbiological waste. Microbiological waste shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(A) Discarded cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(B) Discarded cultures of specimens from medical, pathological, pharmaceutical, research, clinical, commercial, industrial and veterinary laboratories shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(C) Discarded live and attenuated vaccines, but excluding the empty containers thereof, shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(D) Discarded disposable culture dishes shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(i) All discarded, unused disposable culture dishes shall be disposed of in accordance with 30 TAC Chapters 326 and 330.

(ii) Discarded, used disposable culture dishes shall be subjected to the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(III) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(E) Discarded disposable devices used to transfer, inoculate or mix cultures shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(4) Pathological waste. Pathological waste shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(A) Human materials removed during surgery, labor and delivery, autopsy, embalming, or biopsy shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) body parts, other than embryonic and fetal tissue remains:
(I) interment;

(II) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(III) steam disinfection followed by interment;

(IV) moist heat disinfection, provided that the grinding/shredding renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) chlorine disinfection/maceration, provided that the grinding/shredding renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VI) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) tissues, other than embryonic and fetal tissue remains:
(I) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(II) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer system;

(III) interment;

(IV) steam disinfection followed by interment;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) organs, other than embryonic and fetal tissue remains:
(I) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(II) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer system;

(III) interment;

(IV) steam disinfection followed by interment;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iv) bulk human blood and bulk human body fluids removed during surgery, labor and delivery, autopsy, embalming, or biopsy:
(I) discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(II) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) thermal inactivation followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(VI) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VII) chemical disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(VIII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IX) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(X) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(B) The products of spontaneous or induced human abortion other than embryonic and fetal tissue remains, shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) blood and body fluids:
(I) discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(II) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) thermal inactivation followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) thermal inactivation followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(VI) chemical disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VII) chemical disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(VIII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IX) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(X) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(ii) any other tissues, including placenta, umbilical cord and gestational sac:
(I) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer system;

(II) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(III) steam disinfection followed by interment;

(IV) interment;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(C) Discarded laboratory specimens of blood and/or tissues shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(i) grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(ii) steam disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(iii) steam disinfection followed by grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;

(iv) incineration followed by deposition of the residue in a sanitary landfill;

(v) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(vi) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(vii) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(D) Anatomical remains shall be disposed of in a manner specified by § 479.4 of this title (relating to Final Disposition of the Body and Disposition of Remains).

(5) Sharps.
(A) All discarded unused sharps shall be disposed of in accordance with 30 TAC Chapters 326 and 330.

(B) Contaminated sharps shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(i) Hypodermic needles, and hypodermic syringes with attached needles, shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(ii) Razor blades, disposable razors, and disposable scissors used in surgery, labor and delivery, or other medical procedures; and scalpel blades shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration, and if item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(iii) Intravenous stylets and rigid introducers (e.g., J wires) shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(iv) Glass pasteur pipettes, glass pipettes, specimen tubes, blood culture bottles, and microscope slides, and broken glass from laboratories shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(v) Tattoo needles, acupuncture needles, and electrolysis needles shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(II) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(III) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;

(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or

(VII) an approved alternate treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.

(b) Records. The facility treating the wastes shall maintain records to document the treatment of the special waste from health care-related facilities processed at the facility as to method and conditions of treatment in accordance with 30 TAC Chapter 326.

(c) Facility responsibility. The facility treating the wastes shall be responsible for establishing the conditions necessary for operation of each method used at the facility to insure the reduction of microbial activity of any waste treated according to the manufacturer's specifications and according to any approval granted by the department.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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