Understanding Biohazards: Risks & Safety Information

A biohazard is an agent that can risk the well-being of people and animals through infection or disruption of the environment, says the University of California Los Angeles. Knowing what constitutes a biohazard helps keep people safe and healthy.

Bacteria

• Bacteria like tuberculosis are once-celled organisms that can harm the body. Tuberculosis, for example, is an airborne bacteria that attacks the lungs, according to the Farmingdale School of Engineering Technology.

Virus

• Viruses are parasitic organisms that makes copies of themselves at the expense of host cells. HIV is a virus that infects immune system cells, which allows the body to become susceptible to illness.

Fungi

• Fungi are organisms that break down matter, often producing harmful pathogens. Mycotoxins are fungi that are harmful to people and animals, and mold is an example of a mycotoxin, says the Farmingdale School of Engineering Technology.

Parasites

• Organisms that live inside of and feed off of other organisms are called parasites. Tapeworms, which live in the small intestines and feed off the body's nutrients, are parasites, says merck.com.

Biohazard Classifications

• Five classifications identify the threat of danger a biohazard poses. Class I indicates minimal hazard, and class V indicates pathogens excluded from the United States by law.