Laboratory studies were performed at the Central Laboratory of Public Health of Minas Gerais in order to validate the process of infectious waste decontamination (subgroup A1) from the public health service and identify possible flaws in the procedure preliminary to its final disposal. We evaluated both the decontamination of disposable waste packed in thermo-resistant plastic bags as well and the decontamination process of reusable waste from the Tuberculosis Laboratory packed in metallic boxes. The results of the first study indicated a significant deficiency in waste treatment, while in the second case efficacy was demonstrated. Preventive and corrective measures were proposed and adopted as a result of this work and are described herein.
RDC 306/2004; health care waste management; disinfection; tuberculosis; autoclave; Bacillus stearothermophilus