Which statement best describes how infectious waste containers must be maintained?

• A. They should be kept open for ventilation until disposal.
• B. They should be stored temporarily with general waste.
• C. They must be leak-proof, closable, and kept in a designated area until disposal, with overfilling avoided.
• D. They should be transparent for visual inspection.

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that infectious waste must be contained securely to prevent exposure, leaks, and contamination. Containers should be leak-proof and closable so fluids and sharps cannot escape, protecting workers and the environment. They also belong in a designated area until disposal, which helps keep infectious waste segregated from other waste and handled only by authorized personnel. Avoiding overfilling is important because a full container is harder to seal properly and more prone to leaks or spills during transport or handling.

Keeping containers open for ventilation could release aerosols or fluids, posing exposure risks. Storing infectious waste with general waste mixes hazards and violates proper segregation. Transparency isn’t the goal here; visibility doesn’t substitute for a securely closed, leak-proof container kept in the proper area.