Standard Operating Procedure for Handling and Disposal of Animal Waste from Preclinical Studies

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to establish guidelines for the safe and compliant handling, segregation, storage, and disposal of animal waste generated during preclinical studies. This ensures the safety of personnel, environmental protection, and adherence to regulatory standards.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel involved in the generation, handling, and disposal of animal waste, including biological tissues, carcasses, bedding, and associated materials, in facilities conducting preclinical studies.

3) Responsibilities

• Study Directors: Ensure compliance with waste handling and disposal procedures during preclinical studies.
• Laboratory Personnel: Collect, segregate, and label animal waste as per the defined guidelines.
• Waste Management Personnel: Handle storage, transportation, and final disposal of animal waste.
• Safety Officers: Conduct regular inspections and ensure adherence to biosafety and environmental regulations.

4) Procedure

4.1 Classification of Animal Waste

Animal waste from preclinical studies is categorized as follows:

1. Biological Waste:
   • Animal carcasses and tissues
   • Organs and biological fluids (e.g., blood, serum)

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2. Contaminated Bedding and Materials:
   • Used bedding, feed, and cages
   • Materials contaminated with animal excreta or fluids
3. Sharps and Laboratory Waste:
   • Needles, syringes, and scalpels used during procedures
   • Contaminated glassware and pipettes

4.2 Collection and Segregation of Animal Waste

1. Use of Color-Coded Containers:
   • Yellow: Biological waste (e.g., carcasses, tissues, fluids)
   • Red: Contaminated materials and bedding
   • White: Sharps and contaminated glassware

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2. Segregation Guidelines:
   • Collect animal waste immediately after procedures to prevent contamination or decomposition.
   • Ensure waste is not mixed with general or non-contaminated waste.
3. Labeling:
   • Clearly label waste containers with:
     • Type of waste
     • Date of collection
     • Hazard warnings (e.g., Biohazard)

4.3 Temporary Storage of Animal Waste

1. Storage Area Requirements:
   • Designate a secure, refrigerated storage area for animal waste.
   • Ensure the storage area is equipped with biosafety signage and restricted access.

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2. Storage Duration:
   • Do not store biological waste for more than 48 hours without refrigeration or 7 days with refrigeration.
3. Safety Measures:
   • Ensure all waste is sealed in leak-proof containers to prevent odors and contamination.
   • Inspect the storage area daily for leaks or spills.

4.4 Transportation of Animal Waste

1. Internal Transport:
   • Transport waste using sealed, spill-proof carts.
   • Follow designated routes to minimize exposure to personnel and other laboratory activities.

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2. External Transport:
   • Engage licensed biomedical waste disposal vendors for external transportation.
   • Ensure compliance with local biomedical waste transport regulations.

4.5 Disposal of Animal Waste

Animal waste must be disposed of through approved methods as per regulatory guidelines:

1. Incineration:
   • Dispose of animal carcasses and biological waste in high-temperature incinerators (minimum 850°C).
   • Ensure emissions comply with air quality standards.

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2. Autoclaving:
   • Sterilize contaminated materials and bedding before disposal.
3. Landfill Disposal:
   • Send autoclaved waste to authorized landfills for final disposal.

4.6 Emergency Response for Spills

1. Spill Containment:
   • Isolate the area immediately and notify the Safety Officer.
   • Use absorbents and disinfectants to clean the spill.

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2. Disposal of Cleanup Materials:
   • Dispose of contaminated materials as biological waste.
3. Incident Reporting:
   • Document the incident in the Spill Report Log (Annexure 2).

4.7 Documentation and Compliance

1. Maintain Records:
   • Keep logs of waste collection, storage, transport, and disposal.
   • Retain vendor disposal certificates for compliance audits.

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2. Audits:
   • Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with waste management policies and regulations.

5) Abbreviations, if any

• PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
• CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board

6) Documents, if any

• Animal Waste Log
• Spill Report Log
• Vendor Disposal Certificates

7) Reference, if any

• Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016
• CPCSEA Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Facility
• WHO Guidelines on Biomedical Waste Management

8) SOP Version

Version: 1.0

Annexure

Template 1: Animal Waste Log

Date	Waste Type	Quantity	Storage Location	Disposed By
DD/MM/YYYY	Animal Carcasses	20 Kg	Refrigerated Storage	John Doe

Template 2: Spill Report Log

Date	Location	Type of Spill	Corrective Action	Reported By
DD/MM/YYYY	Lab 3	Animal Fluids	Disinfected and Cleaned	Jane Smith