NIOSH identifies aerosol, microbial, chemical, and dust/debris hazards in medical-waste treatment, including grinding and shredding processes and dust remaining after pyrolysis.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Engineering Controls — Biological, Chemical, and Safety Hazards in Medical Waste Treatment ↗Dust entry
Medical-waste treatment dust and aerosol
Dust, debris, and biological aerosols generated during medical-waste handling, shredding, grinding, autoclaving, microwave treatment, or pyrolysis.
Airborne form
aerosol
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
bioaerosol exposureinfectious-disease exposurerespiratory irritationchemical exposure concernbloodborne-pathogen exposure concern
Evidence
Controls
- enclosed processing
- automated waste handling
- ventilation and aerosol control
- face and eye protection
- protective clothing
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection