PMLS Health Care Waste Management Practice Test 2025 - Complete Exam Prep

Sharps, which include needles, scalpel blades, and other sharp instruments, pose significant risks in terms of injury and potential transmission of infections. Prior to transportation to the landfill, it is crucial for sharps to be shredded or crushed. This process effectively reduces the volume of sharps, making it safer for handling and disposal. By shredding or crushing, the sharp edges are rendered less dangerous, which minimizes the risk of injury to waste management personnel and prevents the potential for sharps to become contaminants in the environment.

The shredding or crushing process also aids in the management of hazardous waste by allowing for easier integration into waste streams that comply with environmental regulations. Additionally, it facilitates the overall waste management process, as shredded sharps can often be disposed of in a more compact and manageable manner.

Other methods like bagging, incineration, or cleaning and sterilizing have their own roles in waste management but do not provide the same level of safety and risk reduction associated with shredding or crushing for sharps.