Biological hazards
Biological hazards
Biological hazards (pronunciation: /baɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈhæzərdz/), also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This can include medical waste, samples of a microorganism, virus or toxin (from a biological source) that can impact human health. It can also include substances harmful to other animals.
Etymology
The term "biological hazard" is derived from the Greek word "bios" meaning "life" and the Middle English word "hazard", which means a chance happening or an accident.
Types of Biological Hazards
Biological hazards can be divided into several subcategories including bacteria, viruses, infectious diseases, toxins, and bioactive substances. Each of these categories represents a different type of threat and requires different prevention and mitigation strategies.
Bacteria
Bacteria (pronunciation: /bækˈtɪəriə/) are microscopic, single-celled organisms that can be harmful or beneficial. Some bacteria can cause diseases such as tuberculosis, salmonella, and anthrax.
Viruses
Viruses (pronunciation: /ˈvaɪrəs/) are even smaller than bacteria and require a host organism to reproduce. Viruses can cause diseases such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases (pronunciation: /ɪnˈfɛkʃəs dɪˈziːz/) are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies and are normally harmless or even helpful, but under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.
Toxins
Toxins (pronunciation: /ˈtɒksɪn/) are poisonous substances produced within living cells or organisms. They can cause diseases when introduced into the tissues and can be potentially harmful or deadly.
Bioactive Substances
Bioactive substances (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊˈæktɪv ˈsʌbstəns/) are substances that have an effect on living tissue in the body, which can lead to temporary or permanent damage.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biological hazards
- Wikipedia's article - Biological hazards
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