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Table 2 Categories of biomedical waste

From: Challenges and measures during management of mounting biomedical waste in COVID-19 pandemic: an Indian approach

Sr. No

Category

Examples

1

Infectious waste

Pathogenic microorganism. Inanimate objects used in autopsy, surgery and treatment of infected patients and animals contaminated with infectious blood, humor, microbes

2

Pathological waste

Blood, humor, tissue, organs, human foetuses and animal dead body

3

Sharp

Syringes, needles, scalpels, saws, infusion sets, knives, blades, broken glass etc

4

Pharmaceutical waste

Expired, unused drugs, vaccines and sera. Contaminated pharmaceutical products

5

Genotoxic waste

Contaminated vomit, urine, or faeces of patients treated with cytotoxic drugs, chemicals, and radioactive materials

6

Chemical waste

Scrap solid, liquid, or gaseous chemicals if they are toxic and harmful

7

Waste with heavy metals

Mercury, cadmium, and lead

8

Radioactive waste

The radioisotopes used in vitro & in vivo analysis, and treatment