Biological

 

HEPA filters in BSCs used for biohazard work are viewed as contaminated with whatever biological agents used in the BSC. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard states equipment which may be contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials….shall be decontaminated as necessary. This procedure is detailed in NSF International Standard 49 Informative Annex 2. Most HEPA filters that have been decontaminated are viewed as non-hazardous and are disposed of as non-regulated waste. Some biological agents are resistant to gaseous decontamination and may need special handling. In some states or localities there may be regulations that prohibit non-regulated disposal of any perceived medical waste. So even if a HEPA filter is decontaminated, the HEPA may still be incinerated or packaged as medical waste.