biohazards
Infectious material threats
Biohazards are biological materials that pose a threat to human health or the environment—infectious agents, toxins, medical waste, or contaminated materials.
Laboratories display the distinctive biohazard symbol to warn of dangerous pathogens.
The term covers everything from used needles to weaponized anthrax: The cleanup crew wore full protective gear due to potential biohazards.
Dense metallic environmental contaminants
- mercuryLiquid metallic element
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- cadmiumElement forty-eight
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
dioxins · PCBs · asbestos · carcinogens · mutagens · pollutants · chemicals · radioactive waste
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
- prionsSelf-propagating malformed proteins
spores · microbes · germs · pathogens · mold · infectious · contagion · transmission
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- hazmatToxic materials needing precautions
biosafety · cleanroom · barrier · cordon · enclosure · segregation · restriction · checkpoint
Spike-ringed viral family
- influenzaAcute viral respiratory infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- EbolaFatal hemorrhagic fever virus
- ZikaMosquito-spread viral infection
hepatitis · rabies · SARS · MERS · dengue · norovirus · rotavirus · poliovirus
State of being unprotected
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- transmissionSending of information
- immunocompromisedReduced ability to fight infection
public health · epidemiology · biosecurity · bioterrorism · pandemic preparedness · threat assessment · precaution · protection
Energy propagation through space
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- cesiumAlkali metal, number fifty-five
radon · isotopes · gamma · alpha · beta · ionizing · decay · half-life
Harmful biological substances
- poisonousCapable of causing death
- venomousProducing injected toxins
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- neurotoxicDamaging to nervous system
cytotoxic · carcinogenic · mutagenic · teratogenic · noxious · pesticides · chemicals · pollutants
Made to follow rules
- scheduledArranged for specific time
- notifiableRequiring formal notification
- reportableRequired to be disclosed
heavy metals
Dense metallic environmental contaminants
arsenic · dioxins · PCBs · asbestos · carcinogens · mutagens · pollutants · chemicals · radioactive waste · sewage
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
prions · spores · microbes · germs · pathogens · mold · infectious · contagion · transmission · vector-borne
quarantine
Isolation preventing disease transmission
- isolationComplete separation from others
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
hazmat · biosafety · cleanroom · barrier · cordon · enclosure · segregation · restriction · checkpoint · surveillance
coronavirus
Spike-ringed viral family
- influenzaAcute viral respiratory infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- EbolaFatal hemorrhagic fever virus
Zika · hepatitis · rabies · SARS · MERS · dengue · norovirus · rotavirus · poliovirus · adenovirus
exposure
State of being unprotected
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- transmissionSending of information
immunocompromised · public health · epidemiology · biosecurity · bioterrorism · pandemic preparedness · threat assessment · precaution · protection · safety protocols
radiation
Energy propagation through space
cesium · radon · isotopes · gamma · alpha · beta · ionizing · decay · half-life · dosimeter
toxins
Harmful biological substances
neurotoxic · cytotoxic · carcinogenic · mutagenic · teratogenic · noxious · pesticides · chemicals · pollutants · irritants
regulated
Made to follow rules
- scheduledArranged for specific time
- notifiableRequiring formal notification
- reportableRequired to be disclosed
- hazardstoxin, contamination, poison, carcinogen, toxic fumes
- Toxicspoison, poisons, toxins, toxicity, carcinogens
- workplace safetyworkplace safety, PPE, safety standards, worker safety, goggles
- Environmental Healthair pollution, water pollution, toxic exposure, emissions, lead poisoning
- Hazard Safetyhazmat, dangerous goods, warning signs, safety signs, warning labels
- hazardous materialshazmat, toxic substances, poisons, flammables, dangerous goods
biohazardstherapeutics
Study of healing interventions
medicines · vaccines · probiotics · beneficial microbes · antibiotics
biohazardschemical hazards
Dangers from harmful substances
chemical spills · electrical hazards · nuclear waste · toxic chemicals · radioactive materials
- biohazard symbolIcon denoting infectious materials
- biohazard zoneArea with dangerous organisms
- biohazard signWarning for biological dangers
- biohazard bagContainer for infectious waste
- biohazard cleanupRemoving dangerous biological material
- biohazardous wasteContaminated biological material requiring special disposal