Infectious Waste Examples
Infectious waste is one of the main types of healthcare waste identified by the World Health Organization.
Infectious waste is any waste that contains potentially infectious agents, meaning any waste containing or suspected of containing microorganisms, bacteria, mold, parasites, or viruses known to inflict harm to human beings.
Infectious Waste Examples:
Infectious waste is also known as biohazardous waste or red bag waste.
Some examples of infectious wastes include:
✔ Blood and blood products
✔ Cultures or stocks
✔ Contaminated bodily fluids
✔ Sharps waste
✔ Pathological wastes
Infectious Waste Handling
It is important to note that while not every example above is certain to be infectious, it is known to be capable of causing harm.
For example, the sharps waste may not have been used on an infected person, but is still treated as infectious to decrease the chances of being transmitted any potentially infectious diseases.
In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control, the risk of seroconversion when a needlestick injury occurs from a known positive source is:
✔ 6-30% for HBV
✔ About 2% for HCV
✔ 0.3% for HIV
However, when dealing with biohazardous infectious wastes that have the capability to cause serious illness and even death - it is best not to leave it to chance.
This is why all waste that contains potentially infectious materials should be handled appropriately and in accordance with state and federal regulations, with work practice controls and other preventative measures in place to reduce the risk of injury and transmission.
