What is waste containing toxic chemicals referred to as?

Waste containing toxic chemicals is referred to as hazardous waste. This classification includes materials that pose a potential threat to public health or the environment due to their chemical nature. Hazardous waste can be generated from various sources, including industrial processes, healthcare facilities, and laboratories, where products contain substances that are toxic, reactive, ignitable, or corrosive.

Understanding hazardous waste is crucial in infection control practices, as improper handling and disposal can lead to contamination and exposure risks. This waste must be managed according to strict regulations, ensuring that it is collected, transported, treated, and disposed of safely to minimize risks to health and the environment.

While medical waste entails materials generated in healthcare settings, not all medical waste is classified as hazardous. Solid waste encompasses a broader category of waste that may not necessarily contain toxic materials. Biological waste specifically refers to waste that originates from living organisms, which also does not automatically indicate the presence of toxic chemicals. Therefore, hazardous waste is the most precise term for waste that contains toxic chemicals.