Biohazard Cleanup – What You Need to Know

A biohazard is any biological agent that poses a threat to humans and/or the environment. These can come from humans, like blood or saliva. They can also come from the natural world, like mold or biting insects. Some biohazards come from industrial accidents, like mishandled lab samples or oil spills. 

If these biological threats are not cleaned up properly, they can harm humans or pollute the environment, leading to more disease.

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Common biohazard scenarios include: 

• Industrial accidents
• Crime scenes
• Unattended deaths
• Accidents 
• Localized infections 

Most biohazards need more than simple soap and water to completely eradicate them. That's why professionals using high-grade detection and cleaning equipment are needed. Don't leave a contaminated area to fester: doing so will put you in legal jeopardy and affect the health of the people and wildlife around you. 

Difference Between Biohazards and Chemical Hazards 

Biohazards are different from a chemical agent, which always has the same composition. An example of a chemical hazard is carbon monoxide. Biological hazards come from living organisms, like a virus or an insect. 

Key Types of Biohazards and Why They Matter 

Biohazardous situations vary widely. We've compiled a chart of some of the most common hazardous material and how it impacts the affected area. 

Protecting Yourself from Biohazards 

Handling any of the substances in the chart above can expose you to health risk. That's why professionals wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep these biohazards from entering their bodies. The longer these biohazards sit around, the more danger they pose to the soil, water, wildlife, and air around us.

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Some biohazards don't cause problems right away. It might take days to months to feel symptoms from mold exposure, for example. But dealing with biohazards quickly and professionally means that you, your employees, and the surrounding community will remain protected. 

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Step-by-Step Guide to the Biohazard Cleanup Process 

Biohazards are more common than you think. Biohazard remediation professionals have developed processes for dealing with these threats safely. 

1. Initial Assessment

First, professionals evaluate the extent of the contamination. They determine how large the affected area is, and if there is a chance of further spread. They identify the specific biohazards present. Chemicals, blood, and animal waste all require different cleanup resources. The evaluation team establishes a plan for cleanup. 

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2. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Professionals use a variety of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling biohazards. OSHA compliance for biohazard cleanup requires certain standards for cleanup equipment, otherwise you could be exposed to legal liability. 

Necessities include: 

Hazmat Suits - like this one from MIRA Safety. Biohazards can cause harm just from touching your skin. It's crucial to be completely covered when near biohazards.

Made from durable, tear-resistant fabric, this Hazmat Suit has a wide range of sizes to fit anyone who might be exposed to biohazards, including children. 

Buy Now: Protective CBRN HAZMAT Suit

Respirators - Biohazards like mold, chemicals, or bodily fluids can cause respiratory damage or illness. Professionals use respirators with high quality filters, like our lightweight half-face air-purifying respirator masks. 

Compatible with various air filters, a respirator mask filters out viruses, chemicals, smoke, and other common threats.

Buy Now: Tactical Air-Purifying Respirator Mask (TAPR)

• Gloves - Biohazard and crime scene cleanup require specialized equipment. Latex or nitrile gloves are enough for some situations, like human and animal waste. Needles, broken metal and glass, and chemicals require tougher gloves, like CBRN Butyl gloves. Remember that fine motor skill is crucial during cleanup. Our chemical-resistant gloves provide superior range of motion. 

Buy Now: MIRA Safety CBRN Chemical Resistant Butyl Gloves

3. Containment of the Area

In addition to biohazard removal, biohazard cleaning services need to ensure that the contamination does not spread. 

Industry leading biohazard cleanup services use techniques like negative air pressure systems and air filters to make sure that airborne contaminants don't spread. 

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4. Removal of Contaminated Materials

Biohazards can't simply be thrown in a dumpster. Complete removal of contaminated materials includes  following EPA hazardous waste disposal regulations as well as any local laws to make sure you're in compliance. 

There are a variety of methods to make sure that biohazards are disposed of safely.

• Incineration (burning at extremely hot temperatures)
• Specialized containers for sharps 
• Sterilizing with steam 
• Chemical treatment to transform hazardous compounds

Some biohazards can be safely deposited in a landfill once they have been treated to remove pathogens. 

5. Cleaning and Disinfection

Once the contaminated materials are removed, you must clean and disinfect the area. This kind of professional cleaning is required in any home or business that has been exposed to biohazardous materials. 

The cleanup team will use certified cleaning agents to disinfect all exposed surfaces, including 

• Walls
• Flooring
• Cabinets
• Appliances 
• Furniture

In some cases, biohazard cleanup professionals may even expose personal items like clothing and toys to high heat levels to kill pathogens. 

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6. Final Inspection and Certification

Most local safety regulations require a certified professional to examine the area to ensure the cleanup and restoration is up to standards. 

Biohazard experts visually inspect the area, and may use one of the following methods: 

• ATP Testing 
• Air quality testing
• Swab tests 

Follow up inspections are legally mandated in every area, but they're always a good idea to ensure the threat has been removed. 

READ NOW: How To Decontaminate a House

Health and Safety Risks of Biohazard Cleanup 

Crime scene cleaning, biohazardous material removal, and mold remediation are just a few occupations that pose a threat to health and safety. Ignoring biohazards can lead to short-term and long-term health risks. 

Hidden Risks - Untreated Biohazards 

A good cleaning might seem that it removed all traces of bodily fluids or spilled chemicals. Small particles can harbor viruses and bacteria, which quickly multiply and spread. This can lead to a breakout of infectious diseases. 

Lingering traces of biohazards cause foul odors and allergic reactions. They can also attract pests like rodents and insects, which then spread more diseases. 

Hazardous waste can leach into the soil and water. This pollutes local drinking water and can poison wildlife.

Finally, the building itself can degrade if not taken seriously. Mold eats away at wood, degrading the structure. Given enough time, badly infected wood and drywall will crumble at a touch. 

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The Professional Approach 

Professionals protect themselves against both short and long term risks. Using high-quality, certified PPE ensures that they won't contract an infection from handling potentially infectious materials from humans and animals. Air filters and tear-proof gear protects a restoration services technician from chemical burns and respiratory damage. 

Following specific procedures for evaluation, cleanup, and reporting makes sure that the building is safe to enter. Furthermore, it keeps the homeowner, landlord, or employer out of legal trouble. That's why your insurance company likely requires a certified inspection to process your insurance claim if biohazard materials have been present. 

Regulations and Legal Requirements for Biohazard Cleanup 

Biohazard contamination is closely regulated to keep people and companies safe. Here is an overview of some of the key organizations involved in oversight: 

• OSHA - Employees who might be exposed to blood during the course of their work are protected by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. This mandates that employers provide PPE, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and safe handling procedures. 
• EPA - The Environmental Protection Agency regulations the correct storage, labeling, and disposal of hazardous waste. It conducts regular inspections and non-compliance results in significant fines or legal action. 
• Professional Biohazard Cleanup Companies - Emergency cleaning professionals who deal with hazardous materials are required to maintain certain certifications. These include HAZWOPER, OSHA, and PPE trainings. Most areas require state and local licensure as well. 

Cost of Biohazard Cleanup 

The cost of cleanup varies widely. Your cleanup costs can be affected by:

• Severity of the biohazard contamination 
• Size of the contaminated area
• Disposal requirements
• Type of biohazard

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Here's a starting point of what different biohazard cleanup scenarios can cost:

Initially, these costs may seem high. Investing in professional cleanup service can help prevent much higher costs in the future. Leaving biohazards to fester spreads their contamination across a wider area. This spreads illness and possible soil poisoning, which can costs tens of thousands of dollars to remediate. 

Innovative Technologies in Biohazard Cleanup 

Professional biohazard cleanup services use specialized equipment and training that's not usually available to laypeople. 

ATP Testing - Adenosine Triphosphate is a molecule found in all living organisms. Professionals use a variety of methods to gauge the amount of ATP found in a given sample. High levels of ATP indicate high levels of viruses and bacteria in the sample. This has the advantage of giving quick results and quantifiable data about the cleanliness of any given area. 

Effective Cleaning Agents - There are specialized formulas used for blood and mold, among others. Many biohazards require a multi-step process using several different cleaning agents to completely eradicate possible pathogens. 

New Technologies - Robotics are a promising field in biohazard cleanup. Remote-operated robots can handle risky processes like biohazard handling and cleanup and  UV-C light decontamination.

Similarly, drones can be used to inspect large areas of contamination, like hazardous waste spills. This keeps human inspectors safer. 

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Conclusion: Rely on Experts for Safe, Effective Biohazard Cleanup 

Cleaning up yourself might seem like a low-cost, common-sense solution. But even common hazards -blood, mucus, pet waste, or needles - can pose extreme health risks. 

A professional cleaning company specializing in biohazards knows the proper ways to remove all traces of different kinds of biohazards.

Be prepared for any emergency. Contact a trusted biohazard cleanup service to ensure safety for your family, tenants, or employees. Don't wait until there's a crisis- have a professional's name and number on standby.

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Sources:

“Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention,” OSHA

“Hazardous Waste,” EPA

“Crime Service Cleanup,” Aftermath