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Types of Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous waste is defined as any waste that contains infectious materials or possibly infectious substances. It is important to dispose biohazardous waste according to the law and to label it for easy identification. An individual first must know what kind of waste is considered biohazardous.

  1. Human Blood and Blood Products

    • All human blood, blood products and items contaminated with human blood are considered biohazardous waste. This includes plasma, tissues containing visible blood and anything contaminated by blood or other body fluids.

    Human Body Fluids

    • All human body fluids---either in a liquid or semi-liquid state---are biohazardous waste. This includes all body fluids, from semen to saliva, and even body fluids that are difficult or impossible to easily identify.

    Microbiological Waste

    • All laboratory waste that contains or is contaminated with concentrated forms of infectious agents, such as viruses, specimen cultures and culture dishes, is biohazardous waste.

    Pathological Waste

    • Pathological waste includes all human tissues, organs and body parts. Body parts considered to be hazardous waste include waste biopsy materials, tissues and anatomical parts from surgery, other medical procedures or autopsy. Skin, however, is not pathological waste.

    Animal Waste

    • Animal waste includes all animal carcasses, body parts and any bedding material from animals that could be infected with pathogens infectious to humans.

    Sharp Waste

    • Sharp waste includes needles, intravenous tubing with needle attached, glass pipettes, scalpels, razor blades and broken glass and plastic laboratory items when contaminated with blood or other infectious materials.

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