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biohazardous

biohazardous

1 7.4
Containing dangerous germs and other material from living things that can harm people, animals, or the environment
  • adjective
  • /ˌbaɪoʊˈhæzərdəs/
  • Specialized
: biohazardoso
  • Secure all biohazardous materials immediately.
  • biohazardous waste
  • biohazardous waste management
  • biohazardous sharps

Examples

  • In the present study of medical waste, only biohazardous waste was considered.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Ninety percent of the respondents indicated that autoclaves were used for biohazardous waste treatment at their institutions.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Identify activities at the university that are likely to result in biohazardous waste generation.

    Academic text (2003)
  • What are the most common methods of treatment and disposal for various categories of biohazardous waste produced?

    Academic text (2003)
  • A survey was conducted of environmental health and safety professionals responsible for biohazardous waste management at 122 institutions.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Non-infectious human cultures were also regarded as biohazardous by 84 percent of respondents.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Sharp items contaminated with material infectious to animals were managed as biohazardous sharps by 79 percent of the respondents.

    Academic text (2003)
  • All scalpels and razor blades were managed as biohazardous sharps by 72 percent of institutions.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Syringes without needles attached were managed unconditionally as biohazardous waste by 54 percent of respondents.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Workers must wear protective gear when handling biohazardous materials to ensure their safety.

Synonyms

hazardous
vsbiohazardous
89 5.2

Likely to cause harm or danger

focuses specifically on danger from biological materials rather than general risk
toxic
vsbiohazardous
7 3.5

A poisonous substance that can kill or harm living things

is limited to danger caused by biological materials to people animals and environment

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Not likely to be harmed or in danger

1 3.0

Not dangerous and unlikely to harm people or the environment

How Dangerous

lethal
247 4.8
hazardous
89 5.2
biohazardous
  • Specialized
1 7.4
harmless
214 1.0

Surface Forms

biohazardous positive

Morphology

biohazardous = biohazard (transparent) = bio + hazard + ous

The adjective is formed transparently from the noun 'biohazard' plus the common adjectival suffix '-ous'.

Etymology

The word biohazardous breaks into bio- meaning 'life', as in biology, and hazard meaning 'danger' or 'risk', so it tells you that something is a 'danger to living things' like people, animals, or the environment.