Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110
§2502 Definitions
Title 33 › CHAPTER 38 — DUMPING OF MEDICAL WASTE BY PUBLIC VESSELS › § 2502
Summary
Defines two terms. Potentially infectious medical waste — medical items that could spread disease or harm people or the marine environment, such as blood, body parts, sharps, contaminated bedding, surgical waste, and other disposable medical materials. Public vessel — any kind of vessel or platform owned or leased and operated by the United States Government and not used for commercial service.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §2502
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
For the purposes of this chapter:
(1)Potentially infectious medical waste
The term “potentially infectious medical waste” includes isolation wastes; infectious agents; human blood and blood products; pathological wastes; sharps; body parts; contaminated bedding; surgical wastes; and other disposable medical equipment and material that may pose a risk to the public health, welfare or the marine environment.
(2)Public vessel
The term “public vessel” means a vessel of any type whatsoever (including hydrofoils, air-cushion vehicles, submersibles, floating craft whether propelled or not, and fixed or floating platforms) that is owned, or demise chartered, and operated by the United States Government, and is not engaged in commercial service.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 2502
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110