Can contaminated PPE be disposed of as BDW?

• A. No; must be treated as general waste
• B. Yes; contaminated PPE that has contacted BDW should be disposed of as BDW
• C. Only if double-bagged and labeled
• D. Only if the PPE is visibly contaminated

Answer: (B)

Contaminated PPE that has touched BDW is considered BDW waste and must be disposed of in the BDW stream. This reflects the basic rule that anything that has come into contact with infectious materials should be treated as regulated medical waste to prevent exposure and control risk. General waste isn’t appropriate when BDW has been involved, because it could spread infection. Packaging details like double-bagging or labeling are part of proper BDW handling, but they don’t determine the waste type themselves. Also, the need to dispose as BDW applies even if the contamination isn’t visibly obvious; if there was contact with BDW, it should go to BDW.