What constitutes pathological waste?

• A. Blood containers
• B. Human tissues, organs, body parts, and fetuses
• C. Sharps
• D. Disinfectants

Answer: (C)

Pathological waste refers to human tissues, organs, body parts, and fetuses. These are materials that come from the human body and may contain pathogens, so they require disposal under regulated medical waste rules, typically through approved methods like incineration with proper handling and containment.

Blood containers are just vessels that hold blood; they’re managed under infectious or contaminated waste categories rather than as tissue waste. Sharps are items that can poke or cut you (needles, scalpels, broken glass) and are treated as a separate category due to injury risk. Disinfectants are chemical wastes and are handled under chemical waste disposal rather than pathological waste.