Waste collection system for containment and disposal of contaminated

Abstract

A waste collection system for receiving contaminated fluids in a manner which helps to prevent splashing of fluids or spilling them while they are being collected, thereby increasing protection to personnel, and which also keeps the fluids safely contained until ready for permanent disposal. In one presently preferred embodiment, the waste collection system includes a receptacle in which an absorbent pad is placed. The top of the receptacle is then sealed with a lid in an essentially fluid-tight fit. The surface of the lid is concave and slopes inwardly to a point at which an opening is formed, and a circular foam disc is placed at the opening. The foam material is provided with slits so that fluid can be introduced to the interior of the receptacle by either injecting a device such as a syringe through the slits or by permitting fluid to directly contact the foam material of the disc, which provides absorption and wicking action so that fluids will readily pass through the disc. Drainage channels are also formed on the surface of the lid, which is concave, for draining fluids that contact the surface of the lid quickly into the receptacle. A stabilizing support base with a non-skid surface receives and frictionally holds the container, and after fluids are contained, the support base can then be used by placing it onto the top of the receptacle and over the lid in a friction-tight seal so as to completely enclose the contaminated fluids within the receptacle, ready for permanent disposal.