What are biological hazards?

Biological hazards refer to organic substances that pose a risk to health, typically involving living organisms or their byproducts. These can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which can lead to various health issues when individuals are exposed to them. Such hazards are particularly relevant in environments like healthcare facilities, laboratories, and food production, where exposure to pathogens can occur. Understanding biological hazards is crucial for developing appropriate safety protocols and implementing effective hygiene practices to mitigate risks associated with these hazards.

In contrast, the other choices address different types of hazards such as mechanical hazards, which involve physical dangers; environmental noise hazards, which can affect hearing and well-being; and radiation hazards, which are related to energy emitted from radioactive materials. Each of these categories requires distinct safety measures and is pertinent to specific contexts, but they do not encompass the definition of biological hazards.