Biohazardous Waste – What Is It and What Do I Do With It?

The terms “biohazardous material,” “biohazardous waste,” “medical waste,” “regulated waste,” and “regulated medical waste” are used somewhat interchangeably, but they all have different definitions, and the definitions can change depending on the state in which you are located.

Biohazardous Material

– refers to materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans, animals, or the environment.  They can be infectious agents or chemicals or other products that can damage the environment. Certain chemotherapy drugs and most laboratory reagents fall into the biohazardous material category.

Biohazardous Waste

– refers to waste (e.g. body fluids or tissues) which has the risk of carrying human pathogens.  Biohazardous Waste is usually generated at health care facilities or research facilities, and the term is used interchangeably with Medical Waste.

Regulated Waste

– is the term OSHA uses to describe blood and body fluids and “OPIM” (other potentially infectious material) as defined in the Bloodborne Pathogens regulation (BBP).

Regulated Medical Waste

– refers to biohazardous waste whose handling is regulated by state or federal laws.

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