In the development of cures, research must involve the specific pathogen. Biological specimens containing pathogenic material must not be released to the environment. Specimens may come from human, animal or in-situ hosts.

As these waste are generated they should be removed as soon as possible to a proper disposal method. The primary disposal/destruction method at USU is the use of an autoclave. This method is adequate when the specimens are small or involve surface contamination. The university has an incinerator for all large specimens at the Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory. For those that do not have access to an autoclave or have materials that cannot be effectively destroyed in an autoclave should contact the EH&S Office. The EH&S Office can remove these materials and arrange for proper disposal.