Biohazard waste is anything that could cause the transmission of infection, contamination, or potential harm to humans or the environment. Any organization that is required to deal with biohazard waste is aware of the strict guidelines and compliancy laws involved in handling, segregating, identifying, storing, and disposal of this waste. Following the rules is a requirement for the safety of all.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has created specific lists based on classifications of biohazard waste. Each classification identifies the type of biohazard waste, how it should be segregated and ultimately safely disposed of. Professional waste disposal companies such as Healthcare Waste Management have expert knowledge and certifications in dealing with each type of biohazard waste.
Anatomical waste can be a tissues or specimens that may have been removed during surgery or autopsy that are suspect of containing an infectious agent that can be hazardous to the health of humans. Another name for anatomical waste is “pathological waste.” Examples of anatomical waste can include but are not limited to tissues such as muscle and skin, organs, and body parts.
Animal parts can be tissues, carcasses, fluids, or any animal anatomical waste that may contain infectious agents that could post risks to humans.
Laboratory waste is waste from a laboratory environment that can include but are not limited to viruses, cultures, specimens, parasites, bacterial, or other microorganisms that could have a risk of contamination, morbidity, or mortality when allowed to contaminate.
Infectious waste is any form of waste that contains blood, products or components that have fluids from blood, or objects that were used to treat humans or animals that have the potential to be contaminated or infected with a disease that could be transmitted to humans. Examples of infectious waste can include but are not limited to tissues, swabs, and excreta.
Sharp’s waste is any object that can pierce the skin that could be contaminated with an agent infectious to humans or animals. Examples of sharps waste can include but are not limited to: hypodermic needles, knives, broken plastic or glass, scalpels, syringes, and infusion sets.
Solid waste can be any item that has been contaminated with body fluids or blood that could contain potentially infectious diseases that are harmful to humans or animals. Examples of solid waste can include but are not limited to dressings and bandages.
Drugs is a category that includes potentially dangerous medications that could be harmful if humans or animals are exposed to them. These can include but are not limited to trace chemotherapy drugs, cytoxic drugs. Tar-based products and x-rays have also been included in the Drugs category.
Pharmaceutical waste can be included in the Drugs waste category but is expanded upon to include bottled medicines that are expired or no longer needed for the care of a patient. Pharmaceutical waste has three subcategories: controlled, non-controlled, and hazardous.
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