How do I safely dispose of liquid cultures containing e coli?
Question:
I'm using bacteria enrichments for toxin producing e.coli O157 and the top six non-O157 shiga toxigenic e. coli. What is the best way, other than autoclaving, to safely dispose of the samples?
Answer from a Biosafety Officer:
August 19, 2013
A simple mixture of 1 part Clorox bleach to 9 parts water is a very effective disinfectant. Bleach/water solutions should be made fresh daily. For liquid cultures, disinfect by adding enough concentrated bleach to result in a final mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts liquid culture and allow bleach to contact culture for 30 minutes. Be sure your bleach has an EPA registration number [1].
[1] Selected EPA-registered Disinfectants, Last accessed August 15, 2013:
http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm
