Biohazard waste is generally defined as any waste contaminated with potentially infectious agents or materials that may pose a threat to public health or the environment. Biohazardous waste includes:

• Medical waste
• Sharps
• Other Biohazardous Substances

However, medical waste is more-specifically considered waste that is generated in a lab or clinical setting.

Categories of Biohazard Waste

There are four categories of waste. Each form is separated, identified, sterilized and recycled appropriately to minimize exposure and risk to the environment and general population.

1. Solid waste includes non-sharp items contaminated with any bodily fluids or biological material. For example: gloves, pipettes, towels, or culture.
2. Liquid waste includes bulk quantities of blood or bodily fluids.
3. Sharps waste includes any materials that can puncture or pierce through skin and is contaminated with biological material that can risk transmission or release to the environment. For example: needles, syringes, scalpels, microscopic slides, small broken glass or tubes.
4. Pathological waste includes human organs, tissues and body parts with the exception of teeth.

It is important for healthcare facilities to take caution while handling biohazardous material and that only trained personnel handle and transcript this type of waste for disposal. For additional information, please refer to MedPro’s resources or ask about our OSHA Compliance Training services.

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