Frequently Asked Questions

Biohazard Labels

• What are the Biohazard Label Regulations? What and Who do they cover?

• How are pathogens and biohazards different?

• How is the Biohazard symbol used when you make a Biohazard sign?

• We help handle evidence in DNA testing, and many investigators tend to handle these materials. Do we need Biohazard labels for our samples?

• What are the best procedures for handling biohazards?

• What is OPIM? Is there a special biohazard label for this?

• What other toxins are considered biohazards or pathogens?

What are the Biohazard Label Regulations? What and Who do they cover?

Warning labels should be attached to all containers used for the storage or transportation of potentially infectious materials. These labels must be orange or red-orange with the biohazard symbol in a contrasting color. Red containers or bags can be substituted for warning labels. [See 29 CFR 1910.1030].

The Bloodborne Pathogens Regulation ([9 CFR 1910.1030] applies to all persons who may reasonably anticipate contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials in the course of their employment. This includes contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes or contact from piercing the skin. This regulation is mainly focused on compelling employers to create a written Exposure Control Plan in order for the employer to describe to the employees how they will be protected from exposure.

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How are pathogens and biohazards different?

Pathogens are specifically disease-causing agents. Biohazards are either infectious or dangerous biological materials that present a risk to human health. We offer safety labels and signs that cover both hazards.

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How is the Biohazard symbol used when you make a Biohazard sign?

A BioHazard sign must contain the symbol shown below, as well as the word "BioHazard" or "Biological Hazard".

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We help handle evidence in DNA testing, and many investigators tend to handle these materials. Do we need Biohazard labels for our samples?

Any evidence that includes bodily fluids should be labeled with biohazard labels, tags or tape. These labels let your civic workers, police and laboratory technicians know of the potential health hazards inherent in such samples of evidence. Unknowing handlers are at risk of contacting diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV.

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What are the best procedures for handling biohazards?

There are many different types of biohazards, and different levels of danger. For many hazards, solutions as simple as household bleach are used to disinfect environmental surfaces or clean up hazardous spills. For a more detailed description of one procedure for handling biohazards, see the link below. http://www.state.mn.us/ebranch/doli/pdf/bbpcpl2.pdf

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What is OPIM? Is there a special biohazard label for this?

OPIM stands for "other potentially infectious materials." This could be anything that carries pathogenic microorganisms or other health-threatening risks. There is no specific biohazard label for this because, in a sense, it can be anything.

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What other toxins are considered biohazards or pathogens?

While HBV and HIV are specifically identified in the Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), the term includes any pathogenic microorganism that is present in human blood that can infect and cause disease in persons who are exposed to it. Pathogenic microorganisms can also cause diseases such as hepatitis C, malaria, syphilis, babesiosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, arboviral infections, relapsing fever, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (caused by HTLV-I), HTLV-I associated myelopathy, diseases associated with HTLV-II, viral hemorrhagic fever, and West Nile Virus. Although not a microorganism, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can be transmitted through blood, and are all pathogens and biohazards.

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