pathological wastes: body parts, human and animal tissue samples and cultures, placentas, whole blood and blood products)
chemotherapy wastes: all materials that come into contact with chemotherapy agents, including polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") plastics)
laboratory wastes: blood cultures, serums, blood samples
pharmaceutical wastes: expired drugs, confiscated narcotics, and related drug paraphernalia
"red bag" waste: contaminated bandages, dressings, cotton, gauze, paper, gowns, bedding, latex gloves, masks, suction canisters and sponges
"sharps": contaminated needles, syringes, syringes containing fluids, scalpels, and glass test tubes, pipettes and petri dishes
special waste: broad category of waste not suitable for tradional disposal proceses. Includes, SPE prions (mad cow), low-level radioactive waste, chemical and nerve agents, and other dangerous wastes
autoclave: device that uses steam as a means of sterilization.
incineration: the chemical and physical change of a material commonly known as burning. Exothermic reaction (heat is released from the material) resulting from application of heat and oxygen to source material.
Pyrolysis: chemical and physical change of a material resulting form application of heat in absence of oxygen. Endothermic reaction (material absorbs applied heat) but by-products may be used as fuel.