Company creates new heat resistant biohazard bags

One of the expectations of those processing clinical wastes by autoclave is that as load temperature rises the waste sack will disintegrate sufficient to allow steam to penetrate the entire load.

So it is with some surprise that a US company, Medegen Medical Products, an Inteplast Group company has rolled out a new autoclave-resistant clinical waste (red) sack that is able to withstand temperatures of 140ºC wet heat.

The bags – designed for the sterilization, transport and disposal of biohazardous waste – are manufactured with high-strength, polypropylene film using a proprietary process.

The bags comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Sections 173-197 on regulated medical waste, and meet or exceed autoclave bag regulations for the interstate and intrastate transport of biohazardous waste for all 50 states.

Developed and manufactured in the U.S., Medegen Medical Products’ Dual-Tested Autoclave Bags are ASTM D1922 Elmendorf Tear tested to exceed 480g of tear strength (MD and TD), and ASTM D1709 tested to exceed 165g of dart drop strength.

The bags, which are used to decontaminate contents, can be autoclaved at temperatures up to 285 degrees Fahrenheit, and feature an integral steam processing indicator that turns brown when autoclaved.

“These bags address a need in the marketplace,” stated Mike Sauer, marketing director for Medegen Medical Products. “Compliance laws for biohazardous waste containment differ from state to state. Certain states including Florida, Pennsylvania and California require dual-tested autoclave bags and others do not. This can create challenges for hospital systems or labs with multiple locations.”

Good luck to them and their development. Time and experience will tell if there is any real advantage.

 

Blenkharn Environmental, autoclave, clinical waste discussion forum, clinical waste disposal, development, healthcare waste, regulation, waste management, waste treatment, waste sack, waste sacks

 

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