Which process is designed to alter the biological and chemical characteristics of waste to reduce potential harm?

The process that is designed to alter the biological and chemical characteristics of waste to reduce potential harm is waste treatment. This involves various techniques and technologies aimed at transforming hazardous waste into a less harmful state or managing specific components of the waste to minimize environmental and health risks.

For example, waste treatment may include methods such as incineration, which reduces the volume of waste and can destroy harmful pathogens, or chemical treatment, which neutralizes hazardous substances. These processes are essential in managing healthcare waste, as they help ensure that potentially harmful materials do not pose a risk during storage, transportation, or final disposal.

In contrast, waste disposal refers to the final placement or release of waste materials into a landfill or similar facility. Segregation involves separating different types of waste at the source, which is crucial for effective waste management but does not directly treat the waste. Recycling entails reprocessing materials to create new products but does not focus on altering harmful characteristics of waste. Therefore, while all these choices play a role in waste management, waste treatment specifically addresses the need to reduce potential harm from waste.