Medical waste is defined as any solid or liquid waste that is generated from treatment of human beings in a hospital or clinic , from clinical diagnosis , pathological texting and from medical research. It comprises sharps , non-sharps , blood , body fluids , dressing materials , surgically removed body tissues , chemicals , pharmaceuticals , medical devices and radioactive materials. In developed countries , technologies such as autoclaving and incineration are used for treatment and final disposal of medical waste. However , in developing countries , medical waste has not received adequate attention , particularly when it is diagnosed of together with the domestic waste. As a consequence it may be a cause of disease spreading amongst waste cleaners , waste pickers , collectors , and recycling waste operators. Furthermore , it has been reported that medical waste presents an increasingly high risk to doctors , nurses , technicians , drain cleaners , sweepers , hospital visitors and patients due to disorganised management.