What term refers to biological substances that pose a health threat?

• A. Baseline
• B. Biohazards
• C. Bloodborne
• D. Contaminant

Answer: (B)

Biological substances that pose health threats are called biohazards. In infection control, this broad category includes organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and biological toxins that can cause disease or infection. Recognizing something as a biohazard signals that it requires special handling, containment, and protective measures to prevent exposure and transmission. Baseline refers to a starting measurement or reference point and isn’t about health risks from biological materials. Bloodborne denotes pathogens transmitted through blood and is a specific subset of biohazards rather than the general category. Contaminant is a general term for any unwanted substance and can be chemical, physical, or biological; it doesn’t inherently specify a health threat in the biological sense.