Apparatus for collection and decontamination of hazardous and infectious waste and carrier air

A method for sterilizing suction air created by a suction source used to pick up waste matter, and before the suction air is exhausted into the surrounding environment, said method comprising the steps of:

• passing contaminated suction air through a closed container where waste matter is collected;
• passing said contaminated suction air through a disinfectant means to sterilize said contaminated suction air after said waste matter has been collected in said closed container prior to said contaminated suction air entering a suction source;
• and
• contacting said waste matter with said disinfectant means to sterilize said waste matter when said closed container is full of said waste matter and is to be disposed of.

In a decontamination apparatus used with a suction source which creates suction that causes suction air flow into a suction pickup device to pick up waste matter which is deposited in said decontamination apparatus before said suction air flow is exhausted into the surrounding environment, the improvement comprising:

• a closed container having an input port and an exhaust port, said exhaust port being connected to said suction source and said suction pickup device being connected to said input port, said suction air flow entering said closed container via said suction pickup device and said input port and exiting said closed container via said exhaust port, said closed container collects said waste matter that is drawn into said closed container by said suction air flow created by said suction source;
• a first disinfectant means through which said suction air flow passes after said suction air flow enters said closed container to separate said waste matter from said suction air flow, said first disinfectant means for sterilizing said suction air flow passing through said closed container via said input port and said exhaust port prior to entering said suction source;
• and
• a porous medium located inside of said closed container adjacent to said exhaust port, said porous medium being impregnated with said first disinfectant means, and wherein said suction air flow is sterilized when passed through said porous medium contacting said first disinfectant means.

In a decontamination apparatus used with a suction source which creates suction that causes an suction air flow into a suction pickup device to pick up waste matter which is then deposited in said decontamination apparatus before said suction air flow is exhausted into the surrounding environment, the improvement comprising:

• a closed container having an input port and an exhaust port, said exhaust port being connected to said suction source and said suction pickup device being connected to said input port, said closed container collects a waste matter that is drawn into said closed container by said air flow created by said suction source;
• a porous medium adjacent to said exhaust port and through which said suction air flow passes after said waste matter is separated from said suction air flow;
• and
• a means for heating said porous medium to sterilize said suction air flow passing through said porous medium.