Types of Medical Waste
3/1/2021
It is tricky, however, to accurately name the types of medical wastes that are. Different countries differ slightly in their categorization. And the World Health Organization (WHO) also has its classification. Usually, the categorization is largely based on the different materials involved, their uses, and disposal method.
Risk Wastes
1. Infectious Wastes
These wastes could cause infections due to contamination by viruses, bacteria, fungi, other parasites. They include cultures from laboratories, surgical wastes, post mortem, wastes from infected patients or animals.
2. Sharps
These are items that could cut the skin. They include scalpels, needles, syringes, broken glassware, and other surgical knives.
3. Pharmaceutical Wastes
Pharmaceutical wastes are expired, contaminated, and unused medicines. It also includes items used in handling pharmaceutical products.
4. Radioactive Wastes
Any waste containing radioactive materials or used in radioactive treatments like cancer.
5. Genotoxins
These wastes comprise cytotoxins and cytostatic medicines, bodily wastes from patients treated with such medicines, and items that come in contact with carcinogenic drugs.
6. Pathological wastes
Pathological wastes include body parts, blood, other body fluids, human and animal organs, and tissues.
7. Chemicals
These comprises of batteries, laboratory solvents, disinfectants, heavy metals from medical equipment.
Non-Risk Wastes
The other category of medical waste is non-risk wastes. These types of wastes generally don’t constitute health threats. They are usually domestic wastes such as product packaging, office papers, sprays, and food wastes.
Conclusion