Final answer:
Biohazardous materials include used needles, bacterial cultures, expired drugs, and some types of composite and toxic wastes. Laboratory safety, disposal procedures, and sterilization of biohazard materials using equipment such as autoclaves are essential to prevent disease transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
Items considered Biohazardous Materials
Biohazardous materials refer to any biological substance that poses a threat to human or environmental health. These include materials contaminated with pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that can cause disease. Commonly encountered biohazard materials in a laboratory setting are used needles, which may be contaminated with bloodborne pathogens, cultures of bacteria grown in labs, and expired pharmaceutical drugs. Composite wastes, such as certain plastics and light bulbs, as well as toxic wastes like pesticides, can also present biohazard risks.
Scientific research can yield hazardous byproducts that require careful handling. For example, Bunsen burners, inoculating loops, metal forceps, and other tools must be used with caution to prevent the spread of contaminants. Furthermore, all biohazard waste, such as materials spiked with bacteria for experimentation, needs to be sterilized, typically by autoclave, before disposal to prevent contamination or disease transmission.
Adherence to laboratory safety guidelines is crucial. The international symbol for biohazards should be recognized, hand washing is paramount after handling hazardous materials, and proper disposal procedures must be followed as per instructions. Biohazard disposal containers and facilities like autoclaves and biohazard waste streams are essential components of lab infrastructure for managing such materials.