The waste contaminated by infectious agents or other items that may represent a risk to human health or the environmental quality is classified as biohazard waste. Sharps, medical trash, and other biohazardous substances are examples of biohazardous materials. In particular, medical waste can be classified as waste produced in a laboratory or clinic.
To protect laboratory staff, employees, custodians, visitors to the lab, and anyone exposed to biohazardous substances, these wastes must be dealt with and properly removed. The words “biohazard” and the associated symbol must be included on every biohazardous waste at an absolute minimum. It should also include additional information about the kind of trash and the source of the garbage.
Biohazard Medical Waste Management
To minimize the risk to both the general public and the environment, every form of medical waste that could be infectious is separated, identified as such, sterilized, and reused as needed. The numerous forms that these wastes might take and the best methods to get free of them are discussed in this article.
1. Solid
Any non-sharp material that touches animals or humans is biohazardous garbage: protective equipment (PPE), Petri dishes, towels, linens, and pipettes. By segregating sharp objects from each other such as any other easily damaged items, you can better handle them. Blood vials and other things made of glass are vital when they break.
Solid waste should be put in an autoclave-lined container and be marked for biohazard. Autoclaving on-site decontaminates the trash bin and then is transported to a dump approved by the government as medical waste. If the chest is not decontaminated, an organization for waste management takes it. The waste management business can dispose of the trash when necessary.
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2. Liquid
Body fluids or blood that might be infectious are liquid medical waste examples. Less than 25 milliliters of liquid could be considered solid trash. Over 25 mL needs a separate disposal technique.
Liquid biohazards must be collected in leakproof containers. It is essential to secure the biohazard container and label it as a biohazard. Personnel may dispose of most liquid waste using bleach or autoclave it to create the case with a biohazard in liquid form. Every liquid, including chemicals and bodily fluids, is an exception.
3. Sharp
It’s any medical instrument that could carry a virus and is sharp enough to puncture flesh. Micro slides, needles, scalpels, and shattered glass vials are regarded as sharps. These may contain biohazards.
In the health industry, sharps are kept in containers specifically designed. These containers are puncture-resistant, leakproof, and are also safe. The staff should put all sharps inside these unique containers. They should put an appropriate symbol or label on each of these sharps containers to be identified.
4. Pathological
Tissues, organs, and body parts obtained from animals or human beings are considered pathological waste. There is a good chance that one or more of them will be infected. The waste that results from a biopsy falls into this category. Autopsies that remove anatomical elements and surgical operations are another example.
Health professionals recommended that pathological waste be double-bagged to prevent leakage. After that, it has to be treated in the same manner as other liquid waste by putting it in a different container. Incineration or other chemical treatments like deodorization & odour control services are employed to eliminate it. Pathological waste should not be autoclaved.
5. Microbiological
Laboratories are the primary source of microbiological waste. The cultural dishes, as well as specimens, provide examples. Others are virus strains that have been utilized once before being discarded and tools used by technicians for mixing cultures. Agents that cause infection, bacteria, and biologicals constitute a microbiological waste. This category includes waste products from making antibiotics and biologicals. Medical or scientific procedures that employ infectious agents generate microbial waste.
Hospitals autoclave the microbiological waste. Then they transport it to a waste disposal facility. Staff members process garbage on-site based on categories. Sharps trash is placed in the specified receptacle, for example.