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Bisson, Connie Leach; McRae, Glenn; and Gusky Shaner, Hollie (2012) Medical Waste []

This article talks about how medical waste is affecting diagnosis and the immunization of humans and animals. It also makes a point to say that a lot of medical waste can transfer blood born diseases. However few people know that this rarely occurs. A lot of the concern that comes from medical waste is caused by the fact that there is the potential hazard from pathogens or other hazardous chemicals.

“ Medical wastes are generated as a result of patient diagnosis and/or treatment or the immunization of human beings or animals. ”

“ Medical waste, though a smaller portion of the total health care waste stream, is of special concern because of the potential hazards from pathogens that may be present, or from hazardous chemicals.”

__ Some facts are: __
 * Most medical waste is municipal solid waste (MSW)
 * Late in the 1980s there was a series of syringe wash-ups on beaches which came from healthcare facilities
 * Disease spread from medical waste rarely happens
 * According to OSHA a worker handling just one drop of blood must wear gloves however the bandage containing the blood is not considered infectious