8 Top Evidence Bags for Safe Biohazard Material Storage

Whether in medical facilities, research laboratories, or forensic settings, the need for reliable evidence bags to contain and protect biohazardous substances cannot be overstated.

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These materials can be dangerous if they are not handled or stored correctly. They can harm people and the environment.

Hence, selecting the right evidence bags designed specifically for biohazard storage is essential. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the top evidence bags available, ensuring safe containment and transport of biohazard materials.

Biohazard Specimen Transport Bags

Biohazard specimen transport bags are specifically designed for the safe and secure transportation of biohazardous materials.

These bags are usually made from strong materials that don’t break easily, like polyethylene or polypropylene. They are good at stopping liquids from leaking out and keeping things clean.

They are also equipped with a secure closure mechanism, such as a zipper or adhesive seal, to prevent accidental exposure.

Additionally, many biohazard specimen transport bags feature biohazard symbols and warning labels, ensuring clear identification of the contents and promoting safe handling practices.

Autoclavable Biohazard Bags

Autoclavable biohazard bags are designed to withstand high temperatures and pressure, making them ideal for sterilization purposes.

These bags are often used in medical and laboratory settings where biohazardous waste must be decontaminated before disposal.

Made from materials such as polypropylene or high-density polyethylene, autoclavable biohazard bags can be safely autoclaved along with their contents, effectively killing any harmful pathogens or contaminants.

They are available in various sizes and capacities to accommodate different types of biohazardous materials.

Tamper-Evident Biohazard Bags

Tamper-evident biohazard bags are equipped with security features that indicate if the bag has been tampered with or opened unauthorizedly.

These bags often feature a unique closure mechanism, such as a security seal or tamper-evident tape, which must be broken to access the contents.

Once the bag is sealed, any attempt to open it will result in visible damage or evidence of tampering, alerting users to potential security breaches.

Tamper-evident biohazard bags are commonly used in forensic applications and chain-of-custody protocols to maintain the integrity of evidence.

Leak-Proof Biohazard Bags

Leak-proof biohazard bags are specially designed to prevent leakage or spillage of biohazardous materials during storage and transportation.

These bags feature strong seals and seams that effectively contain liquids, blood, or other bodily fluids, reducing the risk of contamination.

Leak-proof biohazard bags are often used in healthcare facilities, laboratories, and emergency response settings where the safe handling of infectious materials is crucial.

Additionally, some leak-proof bags are also resistant to punctures, further enhancing their durability and reliability.

Heavy-Duty Biohazard Bags

Heavy-duty biohazard bags are built to withstand rough handling and harsh environmental conditions.

Constructed from thick, tear-resistant materials such as reinforced polyethylene or nylon, these bags offer superior strength and durability.

They are ideal for transporting large volumes of biohazardous waste or bulky items that require extra protection. Heavy-duty biohazard bags are commonly used in industrial settings, construction sites, and disaster response operations where rugged performance is essential.

Transparent Biohazard Bags

Transparent biohazard bags provide visibility of the contents, allowing for easy identification and inspection.

These bags are made from clear polyethylene or polypropylene materials that allow users to see what is stored inside without having to open the bag.

Transparent biohazard bags are often used in medical and laboratory settings where visual confirmation of the contents is necessary for safety and compliance purposes. They are also useful for sorting and organizing biohazardous materials in storage facilities or during transport.

Biodegradable Biohazard Bags

Biodegradable biohazard bags are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic bags.

These bags are made from biodegradable materials such as cornstarch-based polymers or recycled paper, which break down naturally over time without causing harm to the environment.

Biodegradable biohazard bags are ideal for disposal of non-infectious biohazardous waste, reducing the reliance on conventional plastic bags and promoting sustainability.

They are commonly used in healthcare facilities, research laboratories, and other settings where eco-friendly practices are encouraged.

How to Choose the Right Biohazard Material Storage Bag for Your Needs

Identify Your Requirements:

First things first – think about what you’ll be using the storage bags for. Are you transporting biohazardous specimens from one place to another? Or are you disposing of waste materials safely? Understanding your specific requirements will help you narrow down your options and choose the most suitable bag.

Check for Compliance:

Make sure that the storage bags you’re considering meet the necessary safety standards and regulations.

Look for labels or certifications indicating compliance with guidelines such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Compliance ensures that the bags are designed to handle biohazardous materials safely.

Consider Material and Durability:

The material of the storage bag plays a significant role in its effectiveness.

Bags made from sturdy materials like polyethylene or polypropylene are durable and provide a reliable barrier against leaks and contamination.

Additionally, consider factors such as puncture resistance and tear strength, especially if you’ll be handling sharp objects or heavy items.

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Evaluate Closure Mechanisms:

Pay attention to how the storage bags are sealed to prevent leaks and spills. Common closure mechanisms include zipper seals, adhesive closures, or heat-sealed seams.

Choose a closure method that offers a secure and tamper-evident seal, ensuring that the contents remain contained during transportation or storage.

Assess Size and Capacity:

Determine the size and capacity of the storage bags you need based on the volume and type of biohazardous materials you’ll be handling. Bags come in various sizes, ranging from small pouches for individual specimens to large bins for bulk storage.

Make sure to select bags that can accommodate your specific requirements without being too oversized or undersized.

Look for Additional Features:

Some storage bags come with extra features designed to enhance safety and convenience.

These may include biohazard symbols and warning labels for easy identification, leak-proof or puncture-resistant construction, and compatibility with autoclaving or incineration processes for sterilization.

Consider whether these additional features would be beneficial for your application.

Review User Feedback:

Before making a final decision, take the time to read reviews and feedback from other users who have experience with the storage bags you’re considering.

Their insights can provide valuable information about the bags’ performance, durability, and suitability for different applications.

Look for patterns or recurring comments that may indicate strengths or weaknesses of the product.

Compare Prices:

Finally, compare the prices of different storage bags to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money.

While it’s essential to prioritize safety and quality, you also want to make sure that the bags fit within your budget. Consider factors such as bulk discounts, shipping costs, and long-term durability when evaluating the overall cost-effectiveness of the bags.

The Conclusion:

Selecting the right evidence bags for safe biohazard material storage is essential to protect public health and safety.

Whether transporting specimens in a medical laboratory or disposing of hazardous waste in a forensic investigation, using the appropriate bags can help minimize the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens and contaminants.

Collecting and Handling Specimens Safely

For healthcare providers collecting specimens or working within 6 feet of patients suspected to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, maintain proper infection control and use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes an N95 or higher- level respirator (or face mask if a respirator is not available), eye protection, gloves, and a gown.

Sensitivity and specificity differ among different tests and different specimens. Decisions on which tests to use and which specimens to collect are at the discretion of health departments and healthcare providers.

For healthcare providers who are handling specimens but are not directly involved in collection (e.g. handling self-collected specimens) and not working within 6 feet of the patient, follow Isolation Precautions. Healthcare providers should wear a form of source control (face mask) at all times while in the healthcare facility.

Healthcare providers can minimize PPE use if patients collect their own specimens while maintaining at least 6 feet of separation. For example, the provider should wear a face mask, gloves, and a gown.

Respiratory Specimen Collection

Respiratory specimens should be collected as soon as a decision has been made to test someone, regardless of the time of symptom onset. The guidance below addresses options for collecting specimens.

Proper specimen collection is the most important step in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. A specimen that is not collected correctly may be rejected for testing or lead to false or inconclusive test results. The following specimen collection guidelines follow standard recommended procedures.

For diagnostic testing for current SARS-CoV-2 infections, CDC recommends collecting and testing an upper respiratory specimen. Contact the testing laboratory to confirm accepted specimen types and follow the manufacturer instructions for specimen collection. Sterile swabs should be used for the collection of upper respiratory specimens. This is important both to ensure patient safety and preserve specimen integrity. Note that nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens are not appropriate for self-collection.

Testing lower respiratory tract specimens is also an option. For patients who develop a productive cough, sputum can be collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 when available. However, the induction of sputum is not recommended due to the possibility of aerosol production during the procedure. Under certain clinical circumstances (e.g., for those receiving invasive mechanical ventilation), a lower respiratory tract aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage specimen can be collected and tested as a lower respiratory tract specimen.

A. Upper respiratory tract

Nasopharyngeal specimen (NP) collection / oropharyngeal (OP) (throat) specimen collection (performed by a trained healthcare provider only)

Use only synthetic fiber swabs with thin plastic or wire shafts that have been designed for sampling the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Do not use calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts, as they may contain substances that inactivate some viruses and may inhibit molecular tests. CDC recommends collecting only the NP specimen, although an OP specimen is an acceptable specimen type. If both NP and OP specimens are collected, combine them in a single tube to maximize test sensitivity and limit use of testing resources.

Instructions for collecting an NP specimen (performed by a trained healthcare provider):

• Tilt patient’s head back 70 degrees.
• Gently and slowly insert a mini-tip swab with a flexible shaft (wire or plastic) through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, indicating contact with the nasopharynx.
• Gently rub and roll the swab.
• Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
• Slowly remove swab while rotating it. Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the mini-tip is saturated with fluid from the first collection.
• If a deviated septum or blockage create difficulty in obtaining the specimen from one nostril, use the same swab to obtain the specimen from the other nostril.
• Place swab, tip first, into the transport tube provided.

Instructions for collecting an OP specimen (performed by a trained healthcare provider):

• Insert swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas.
• Rub swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx and avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums.
• Place swab, tip first, into the transport tube provided.

Nasal mid-turbinate (NMT) specimen (performed by a healthcare provider or the patient after reviewing and following collection instructions):

• Use a tapered swab.
• Tilt patient’s head back 70 degrees.
• While gently rotating the swab, insert swab less than 1 inch (about 2 cm) into nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is met at turbinates.
• Rotate the swab several times against nasal wall and repeat in other nostril using the same swab.
• Place swab, tip first, into the transport tube provided.

Visual guides

• For healthcare providers, see the Nasal Mid-Turbinate (NMT) Specimen Collection Steps [16 MB, 2 pages]
• For patients and consumers, see the How to Collect a Nasal Mid-Turbinate Specimen for COVID-19 Testing infographic [4 MB, 2 pages].

Anterior nasal specimen (performed by a healthcare provider or the patient after reviewing and following the collection instructions):

• Insert the entire collection tip of the swab provided (usually ½ to ¾ of an inch, or 1 to 1.5 cm) inside the nostril.
• Firmly sample the nasal wall by rotating the swab in a circular path against the nasal wall at least 4 times.
• Take approximately 15 seconds to collect the specimen. Be sure to collect any nasal drainage that may be present on the swab.
• Repeat in the other nostril using the same swab.
• Place swab, tip first, into the transport tube provided.

Nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate or nasal wash/aspirate (performed by a trained healthcare provider)

• Attach catheter to suction apparatus.
• Tilt patient's head back 70 degrees.
• Instill 1 mL-1.5 mL of non-bacteriostatic saline (pH 7.0) into one nostril.
• Insert the tubing into the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards). Catheter should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of ear.
• Begin gentle suction/aspiration and remove catheter while rotating it gently.
• Place specimen in a sterile viral transport media tube.

For an additional visual guide, see the Nasopharyngeal/Nasal Aspirate or Nasopharyngeal/Nasal Wash sections in the Influenza Specimen Collection infographic.

For all other specimen types not described above refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Contact the manufacturer if there are questions on collection.

B. Lower respiratory tract

Bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal aspirate, pleural fluid, lung biopsy (generally performed by a physician in the hospital setting)

• Collect 2-3 mL into a sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container.
• Due to the increased technical skill and equipment needs, collection of specimens other than sputum from the lower respiratory tract may be limited to patients presenting with more severe disease, including people admitted to the hospital and/or fatal cases.

Sputum (collected under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional)

• For patients who develop a productive cough, sputum can be collected and tested when available for SARS-CoV-2. However, the induction of sputum is not recommended. Educate the patient about the difference between sputum (deep cough) and oral secretions (saliva/spit). Have the patient rinse the mouth with water and then expectorate deep cough sputum directly into a sterile, leak-proof, screw-cap collection cup or sterile dry container.