Why is Blood a Biohazard?

Why is Blood Biohazardous?

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Blood is considered biohazardous waste, and so are things that come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

This means that personal protective equipment, needles, and even bodily fluids contaminated by blood must be handled as a biohazard to prevent potential illness or death.

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‍Why is Blood a Biohazard?

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Blood is a biohazard due to its capability to transmit illnesses through bloodborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Some of the most common examples of illnesses that spread through bloodborne pathogens include: 

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✔ Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

✔ Hepatitis B (HBV)

✔ Hepatitis C (HCV)

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Activities that involve the exchange of human blood or bodily fluids can transmit bloodborne pathogens. Treating blood as a biohazard reduces the risk of transmission through utilizing best practices such as wearing personal protective equipment, using proper medical waste containers, and undergoing training such as bloodborne pathogens training.

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Types of Blood Biohazard Waste

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Biohazardous waste is defined as waste that is suspected of being infected with pathogens which are infectious to humans and/or the environment.

Let’s break it down further:

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Solid Waste

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Any non-sharp items that come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Examples of solid blood waste include:

✔ Personal protective equipment that came into contact with blood such as gloves, masks, or gowns

✔ Tubing with traces of blood

✔ Contaminated laboratory equipment such as petri dishes or pipettes.

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Liquid Biohazardous Waste

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Liquid biohazardous waste is any liquid containing potentially infectious materials.

Examples of liquid blood waste include:

✔ Bodily fluids contaminated with blood such as urine, feces, or nasal secretions. 

✔ Blood or blood products such as plasma or serum

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Sharps Waste

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Sharps are arguably one of the most common methods of transmission for bloodborne pathogens through needlestick injuries.

Sharps are anything capable of piercing the skin that is contaminated.

Examples of sharps waste include:

✔ Needles

✔ Syringes

✔ Scalpels

✔ Other sharp materials that came into contact with infectious agents

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Pathological Waste

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Pathological waste is any tissues, organs, or body parts derived from a surgical-like procedure.

Examples of pathological waste include:

✔ Carcasses

✔ Organs

✔ Tissues

✔ Human or animal body parts

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Handling Blood or Blood Products

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When handling blood waste, it is essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by following all necessary handling procedures. 

Always use appropriate personal protective equipment, use appropriate biohazard waste containers, segregate and secure waste streams, properly train personnel, ensure you are using red medical waste bags correctly, and follow all local and federal regulations.

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Disposal of Blood Waste

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It is important that blood waste and other biohazard wastes are disposed of properly as red bag waste.

Healthcare facilities and other biohazard waste generators should set up service with a medical waste disposal company who specializes in handling regulated medical wastes. Ideally, a licensed medical waste hauler will come and collect your medical waste and haul it away for proper medical waste treatment on a scheduled basis.

Since medical waste streams often require a different treatment method based on the type of waste, it is important to use the correct container.

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