What constitutes a biohazard?

A biohazard is specifically defined as a biological material that poses a threat to the health of living organisms, particularly humans. This includes materials such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause disease or infections. The correct answer highlights that biohazard materials are of biological composition and are infective, meaning they have the potential to cause harm to health through infection.

The concept of biohazards is rooted in the risk they pose; therefore, biological materials that are not infective do not qualify as biohazards, nor do materials that are strictly chemical or viral without the infective context. This distinction is crucial in fields such as environmental health, healthcare, and laboratory safety, where identifying, handling, and mitigating risks associated with biohazards is essential for protection and safety protocols.