Which waste category includes devices with points or edges designed to cut or puncture the skin, such as needles and scalpels?

• A. Sharps
• B. Pathological waste
• C. Cytotoxic waste
• D. General medical waste

Answer: (A)

Devices with points or edges designed to cut or puncture the skin are categorized as sharps. This category exists because these items pose a high risk of injury and infection if mishandled, so they require special containment in a rigid, puncture‑resistant sharps container and disposal through regulated medical waste streams. Examples include used needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and lancets. Pathological waste refers to human tissue or body parts; cytotoxic waste includes hazardous drugs and related chemical wastes; general medical waste covers nonhazardous items like disposable gloves and packaging. Since the focus is on objects meant to cut or puncture skin, sharps is the best fit.