Safe Disposal of Radioactive Cat Waste - Step 1 - The Law and the Dilemma
Safe Disposal of Radioactive Cat Waste - Step 1 - The Law and the Dilemma
Supplies Needed for Clean-Up and Storage of Radioactive Cat Waste
You will need the following supplies for clean-up and storage of radioactive cat waste (most are available at your local supermarket):
You have all the supplies you need now and a large litter box with clumped urine and stools from a cat recovering from radioactive iodine (I131) therapy. California state law requires the waste to be held for 90 days after the I131. Laws in other states and countries may vary, so if you have a hyperthyroid cat and are considering the radioactive iodine therapy, check with the vet clinic who will do that treatment.
They can give you the information you need.
Now that you have the necessary supplies, the rest is easy. Put on the vinyl (or latex, if you're not allergic) surgical gloves. Open one of the one-gallon zip-lock bags. Holding it open with one hand and scoop up the urine clumps and poop, then drop them in the bag. If you do this process three or more times a day, you can use the same bag again until it is fairly full, making sure you can still completely zip it.
The last step in saving radioactive cat waste for disposal after 90 days is quick and easy. However, it will keep your home smelling fresh, and your neighbors happy when it comes time to dump it in the outside garbage container for trash pick-up day.
First, line your 5-gallon paint can with one of the tall kitchen bags. (I use the Glad Odor Shield, which has a pleasant vanilla scent, pictured among the supplies in Step 2.) You will have lined the can prior to step 3.
Second, place the filled zip-lock bag into the paint can and cover with the lid. You can add to that zip-lock bag the next time if there is still plenty of room left.
Finally, I have a 55 gallon metal garbage can standing by. Once the paint can is full, all I'll need to do is pull the filled plastic liner out, tie the draw strings, and drop into the 55 gallon metal garbage can for storage.
Finally, I'd like to point out that the process described in these steps are a workable plan for anyone seeking a way to keep a home free of cat waste odor. We've come a long way since the sand-filled cardboard box, or box lined with papers.
Problem: Complying with state laws regarding the disposal of radioactive waste in a multi-cat household.
My hyperthyroid cat Joey recently had radioactive iodine therapy, and is recuperating nicely at home, however he and his bodily excretions (urine, feces, and vomit) will be radioactive for awhile. The instructions for disposal of his waste as dictated by California law are:- For one month post treatment clumpable, flushable litter must be used and all waste disposed of in the sewer. Absolutely no waste or soiled material can be disposed of in the garbage. All garbage dumps have sensitive radiation detectors which will detect the radioactivity and can trace the garbage load back to your location (with subsequent heavy fines). Any waste not disposed of in the sewer must be bagged and held for three months, prior to disposal.
- It is recommended that the litter box be kept in a minimally occupied area such as a bathroom, laundry room, or garage.
- Wash your hands after disposing of waste in the sewer.
- Pregnant women and children should not handle the soiled litter.
- Should your cat soil or vomit inside your house, clean the area thoroughly while wearing rubber gloves. If paper towels are used for cleanup, the towels must be bagged and held for at least 80 days prior to disposal in routing trash. If rags are used for clean up, the rags must be washed separately in a washing machine. If the urine or vomit has soaked into garments, carpets, or furniture, the items should be washed thoroughly. Garments may be washed separately in a washing machine.
The Dilemma:
Two factors make it unfeasible to comply to the letter of this law with regard to flushing the waste into the sewer.- In a four-cat household it is impossible to confine Joey's waste to one litter box, and flushing the waste of four cats down the toilet numerous times a day poses potential plumbing problems.
- California state law strongly suggests NOT disposing of cat litter through the sewer, because sewage treatment plants are not presently capable of eliminating the Toxoplasma gondii virus which might be present in cat waste. As part of a bill passed to protect the coastal sea otters from infection and death from toxoplasmosis, CA law mandates this warning on bags of flushable cat litter:
"The State of California encourages the disposal of cat feces in trash and discourages flushing cat feces in toilets or disposing of them in drains."
Supplies Needed for Clean-Up and Storage of Radioactive Cat Waste
You will need the following supplies for clean-up and storage of radioactive cat waste (most are available at your local supermarket):
- Two or More Empty 5 Gallon Paint Cans With Lids
Available at your local hardware, paint store, or "big-box" store such as Home Depot or Lowe's - Vinyl Surgical Gloves ()
- One Gallon Zip-Lock Bags
Available at your local supermarket. - 13 Gallon Tall Kitchen Bags
Available at your local supermarket
- One or more 55 gallon covered metal garbage can
Readily available in most hardware stores.
You have all the supplies you need now and a large litter box with clumped urine and stools from a cat recovering from radioactive iodine (I131) therapy. California state law requires the waste to be held for 90 days after the I131. Laws in other states and countries may vary, so if you have a hyperthyroid cat and are considering the radioactive iodine therapy, check with the vet clinic who will do that treatment.
They can give you the information you need.
Now that you have the necessary supplies, the rest is easy. Put on the vinyl (or latex, if you're not allergic) surgical gloves. Open one of the one-gallon zip-lock bags. Holding it open with one hand and scoop up the urine clumps and poop, then drop them in the bag. If you do this process three or more times a day, you can use the same bag again until it is fairly full, making sure you can still completely zip it.
The last step in saving radioactive cat waste for disposal after 90 days is quick and easy. However, it will keep your home smelling fresh, and your neighbors happy when it comes time to dump it in the outside garbage container for trash pick-up day.
First, line your 5-gallon paint can with one of the tall kitchen bags. (I use the Glad Odor Shield, which has a pleasant vanilla scent, pictured among the supplies in Step 2.) You will have lined the can prior to step 3.
Second, place the filled zip-lock bag into the paint can and cover with the lid. You can add to that zip-lock bag the next time if there is still plenty of room left.
Finally, I have a 55 gallon metal garbage can standing by. Once the paint can is full, all I'll need to do is pull the filled plastic liner out, tie the draw strings, and drop into the 55 gallon metal garbage can for storage.
Finally, I'd like to point out that the process described in these steps are a workable plan for anyone seeking a way to keep a home free of cat waste odor. We've come a long way since the sand-filled cardboard box, or box lined with papers.
