4 Main Categories of Biohazardous Waste

There are various situations in which you might come across biohazardous materials. These types of materials are those that contain viruses, bacteria, mold, parasites, and other infections or diseases. For this reason, it’s important that they are properly cleaned up. There are four different types of hazardous wastes that you should be aware of in case you come across them. Here are the four main categories that might require a biohazard cleaning in Urbana, IL.

Solid Biohazardous Waste

Solid biohazardous waste is described as a non-sharp object that has come into contact with any biohazard materials. Those that come into contact with these objects suffer the same risks as if they were to come into direct contact with the biohazard materials. Some common examples of these types of objects include gloves, personal protective equipment, towels, and vials.

Liquid Biohazardous Waste

Liquid biohazardous waste is the bodily fluid that might come from a person or animal. The most common liquid biohazardous waste is blood but there are others in the body. These fluids can be contaminated with viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that have the ability to spread disease, even if the source of the fluid is deceased. They are commonly discovered at the scene of an accident or violent crime.

Sharp Biohazardous Waste

Sharp biohazardous waste is similar to solid biohazardous waste but is a sharp object. The reason for the differentiation is that a sharp object can spread infection easier as the puncturing of the skin allows toxins direct access to the bloodstream. This type of waste can be anything that might carry toxins and puncture the skin, such as blades, syringes, scalpels, and broken glass.

Pathological Waste

Pathological waste includes human or animal organs, tissues, or body parts that might have been removed and can be contaminated with dangerous toxins. These bodily materials can be contaminated with infectious agents or parasites that have the ability to infect a person that comes into contact with them. The only solid interior part of the body that is not included in this category of biohazardous waste is teeth. In addition to being dangerous to the health of a person, this can also be emotionally distressing as pathological waste is usually only visible at the most gruesome scenes.

There are four main categories of biohazardous waste that can be dangerous to the health of a person that comes into contact with it. These are the four categories that will require a professional biohazard cleaning in Urbana, IL.