biohazard

English

Etymology

From bio- +‎ hazard.

Noun

biohazard (plural biohazards)

  1. A biological hazard; a source of risk due to some biological factor such as bacteria or human waste.
    • 1999 March 24, National Transportation Safety Board, “1.19 New Investigative Techniques”, in Aircraft Accident Report: Uncontrolled Descent and Collision with Terrain, USAir Flight 427, Boeing 737-300, N513AU, Near Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1994‎[1], archived from the original on 4 June 2022, page 237:
      The OSHA procedures for this type of environment required all investigative and emergency response personnel to wear PPE when they accessed those areas of the accident site containing biological hazards and undergo decontamination procedures after departing the biohazard area.
    • 2020 August 12, “News in Brief: Donation to hospice”, in Rail, page 31:
      South Western Railway's Basingstoke station has donated surplus biohazard waste bags to the nearby St Michael's Hospice.
    • 2026 June 24, Lucy Mangan, “Poop Cruise review – a fascinating look at a toilet disaster that still haunts passengers 12 years later”, in The Guardian‎[2]:
      People had to poo in bags, you see. Jan had to get on the public address system and explain to thousands of disbelieving passengers that “number ones” could be done in the shower but “number twos” must be done in the red biohazard bags being distributed, then placed in corridors for collection by unnamed staff, none of whom chose to appear in this documentary.

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