I’ve seen that mentioned a few times on the board, and am wondering if it can be legally done, or if the tampon counts as hazardous material and would land you a fine.
Thanx
I would have to say it is illegal. I just read somewhere that someone received a speeding ticket and was quite unpleased about it. She decided to mail her ticket in to the courthouse along with a check covering the fine and a large piece of shit. She was subsequently arrested.
I don’t know for certain but I would wager it constitutes biologic waste and without proper containment and labelling (funky biohazard sticker) I would guess you would get in trouble.
And where has mailing tampons been mentioned here before? I’m not bothering with a search…seems so odd and gross I’m afraid the SDMB would cancel my account for even attempting such a search.
I would say it would be illegal, for sure.
Mind you, if you someone has aggrieved you enough to mail them a used tampon, then I think you would have the common sense to mail it anonomously. I mean, its a pretty disgusting thing to do, isn’t it?
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=148528 was the most recent and prompted this inquirey
Mailing human body parts and/or remains through the post office is illegal. That includes things like menstrual blood (ewww).
So when is the sequel to Pink Flamingos coming out?
I am not your lawyer, this is not legal advice, do not act on it in ANY way, this is just for hahas, damn you for making me curious enough to look this up.
To make a long, convoluted, US Code/Code of Federal Regulations story short, clinical specimens and biological products without infectious materials must be clearly marked, and “may” have a biohazard symbol. Mailable sharps and infectious material must be clearly marked, must contain a biohazard symbol, and must follow very, very strict packaging and shipping guidelines.
But that’s just to pass muster to mail a used tampon for a legitimate purpose, if there is one…let’s say it’s needed for DNA evidence in a trial or something. Mailing a tampon (or a turd) could be considered a terroist threat or worse and violate any number of state and federal laws.
That’s one I don’t think this group tried.
You want to do this why?
Actually, it could count as “regulated medical waste”, which would fit it more squarely in the second, more heavily regulated section of biohazardous material.
Not entirely, however. It’s certainly legal to send cremains through the U.S. Postal Service.
Of course, this sometimes leads to tragic outcomes when mail is lost or stolen. For a recent case of this happening, I refer you to the St. Petersburg Times: http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/10/NorthPinellas/Plea_to_postal_hijack.shtml
A few years ago, there was an exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery of used tampons, under glass :eek: , from women all over the world, submitted by a Asian male artist who challenged the cultural taboo surrounding menstruation. I believe the ‘artifacts’ had been sent via post.
Actually I’m pretty sure t is legal. I used to work for one of the big feminine hygene product producers and there was a department that dealt with failed products, i.e used pads and tampons (and diapers next door from the baby department) that were sent back to determine why it failed. These were kept in freezers to examine. Next time you think you have a bad job imagine having to examine failed tampons, pads and diapers all day…mm mm fun
I’m not sure about how they were mailed (i.e. labeling etc), but I am sure they went through the mail.
I still see wiggle room here. I suspect the definitions of “clinicical specimen” and “biologic product” may vary depending on the purpose, and possibly the percent coverage or qualities of the alleged specimen/product.
Suppose I print out detailed instructions for say, a car repair, on a piece of paper. At some point my kid comes along and uses it to blow her nose; apparently no tissues are available. After the paper dries, it’s a bit crusty, but still seems perfectly sendable in a box of dirty car parts. Yeah, the car thing is a red herring, but I needed some plausible story for background.
If that still qualifies as a biologic product, I would next like to ask what restrictions there may be on sending a saliva specimen on the back flap of an envelope.
You have got to be joking mythil? What ever happened to “return the rest of the package…”. Are you sure they did not just examine the unused product that was in the same package as the faulty item?
Actually, this issue of “Are tampons biohazardous waste?” came up in my workplace. A fellow got the job of dumping all the trash in the plant, including restroom trash. He blanched at the thought of dumping used tampons and pads. The union safety guy asked OSHA. They cited some official edict that menstrual waste was not considered biohazard material. The reasoning was, it was probably dried. If it was, the HIV, if any would have died. I’m not a microbiologist, and I hold no position about that. The company’s position is, the guy has to dump the stuff, and he’s welcome to wear waterproof gloves if he wants.
AskNott, your friend’s company was wrong and they likely knew it.
While H.I.V. can die in a relatively short amount of time if outside of the human body, Hepatitis does NOT die off quickly, NOR does it remain dormant if kept dry. If you come across a dried blood droplet from 3 months ago, you can moisten it and if you were to get that bit of blood into an open cut or wound, risk being exposed. It’s hardy stuff.
If the worker is exposed to the Hepatitis-laden blood soaked item in question, then he or she has been exposed.
Tres dangerous without proper BSI.
Cartooniverse
This article gives some fairly detailed information on dry blood samples, AND links to the laws detailing control of shipping of bloodborne pathogens.
I recently had an employment-related drug test, and the urine and blood sample was sent to the lab via Fedral Express.