In occupational health, biohazardous agents are classified based on their potential to cause

harm in the workplace. These agents can be present in various work environments, such as
healthcare facilities, laboratories, waste management, and agriculture. The classification
often focuses on the nature of the biohazard, its risk level, and the occupational settings
where it might be encountered. Here's a broad classification along with their characteristics:

1. **Bloodborne Pathogens:**
- Include viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and C.
- Typically transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids.
- Common in healthcare settings, emergency response, and laboratory work.

2. **Airborne Pathogens:**
- Include bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can be transmitted through the air.
- Examples include tuberculosis (bacteria), measles (virus), and Aspergillus (fungus).
- Particularly relevant in healthcare, laboratory work, and indoor air quality management.

3. **Contact Pathogens:**
- Transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surface.
- Includes Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and E. coli.
- Relevant in healthcare, childcare, and animal handling occupations.

4. **Vector-borne Pathogens:**
- Transmitted through bites of infected vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
- Include Lyme disease (from ticks) and West Nile virus (from mosquitoes).
- Workers in outdoor occupations, like forestry and landscaping, are at risk.

5. **Zoonotic Pathogens:**
- Transmitted from animals to humans.
- Includes rabies virus, Salmonella, and avian influenza.
- Veterinarians, zoo workers, and agricultural workers are typically at risk.

6. **Biological Toxins:**
- Toxins produced by living organisms, including bacteria, plants, and marine organisms.
- Examples are botulinum toxin and ricin.
- Relevant in laboratories, food processing, and agriculture.

7. **Waste and Sewage:**

- Exposure to human and animal waste can lead to various infections.
- Workers in waste management, sanitation, and plumbing are commonly exposed.

8. **Allergens and Molds:**

- Exposure can lead to allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
- Common in indoor environments, agriculture, and construction.

**Risk Assessment in Occupational Health:**

- **Level of Exposure:** Frequency and duration of potential exposure to biohazards.
- **Route of Transmission:** How the biohazard is likely to enter the body (inhalation, skin
contact, ingestion, etc.).
- **Virulence and Infectivity:** The ability of the biohazard to cause disease.
- **Immunization Availability:** Whether vaccines are available to mitigate risk.

**Control Measures:**
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Engineering controls like ventilation systems.
- Administrative controls such as training and safety protocols.
- Immunizations where available.