Biohazards seem like a dangerous thing to mention, but do you know what it is? Do you know why there is a need for a clean-up? And how does this biohazard clean-up work?
Continue reading, and you’ll find everything you need to know, including the answer to the questions above.
Biohazards: The Definition
A biohazard or biological hazard, are organic substances that may harm any living person or organism’s health. Blood is the most common of them we can regularly come in touch with; if you’re interested, here are some steps to cleaning blood.
Besides blood, biohazard examples were mould, mildew, human waste, pest infestations, viruses, and bioactive substances. A few might be rare, but you’ll be shocked at how easily others could pop up when the right conditions are met.
Biohazards are classified into four groups based on the extent of harm they may cause, whether its pathogenic, hazardous, transmissible or have an effective treatment. Below is the CDC biohazard classification that you can get familiar with:
- Level 1 – This presents a minimal threat
- Level 2 – This gives rise to moderate harm
- Level 3 – These are high-risk pathogens that are airborne
- Level 4 – These are life-threatening pathogens without a cure
Why Biohazard Cleanups Are Necessary
Biohazards aren’t rare, contrary to what most expected. It can occur anywhere and anytime, whether it be in residential houses or industrial buildings. The following are some sample scenarios when biohazards can lead to health risks that can happen in real life:
- Animal illnesses can be transferred to people exposed to or working with live animals or animal products. These illnesses include Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza, Salmonella Infection, Brucellosis, and many more.
- Workers in the medical field often have to deal with bodily fluids that contain viruses or bacterial diseases, so their probability of getting exposed to biological hazards is high.
- People who work with air conditioning systems in an area with high humidity, and deal with mould and mildew infestation, have a higher probability of acquiring illnesses relating to moulds or yeasts.
- People working with trash, wastewater, sewerage, organic dust, and food are always at risk of acquiring diseases. They may develop illnesses like Encephalitis, Gastroenteritis, Leptospirosis, Poliomyelitis, etc.
- Homeless people were more exposed to rubbish, wastewater, and sewerage which can cause health risks.
- A simple leak or unattended pool of water may cause the growth of moulds. More prolonged exposure of people to mould spores may lead to illnesses. Most health risks one can get from this are respiratory-related illnesses.
The fact that biohazards can threaten one’s health is the primary reason why there’s a need for a thorough clean-up of those. Most often, more than regular cleaning by yourself is needed, and you’ll need the help of a professional to do an intensive cleaning.
How Does Biohazard Cleanup Work
Being a biohazard cleaner is a mentally and physically demanding job. It doesn’t allow a single minor slip-up or the cleaning would be for naught, and the cleaners would be in more danger. This job of cleaning biohazards is only for some.
Here are some of the considerations done during the clean-up:
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
First and foremost, a worker must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment, such as an airtight suit. Other than the suit, gloves, boots, respirators, eye goggles, and face shields are some of the necessary pieces of equipment too.
2. Area Control
Manage the contaminated area by enclosing the affected space with road barriers, ensuring a secure and visible boundary. This method not only clearly demarcates the area but also provides a sturdy physical barrier to prevent unauthorized access. Road barriers are particularly effective in high-traffic or public areas where maintaining a safe distance from the contaminated zone is crucial. Only professionals equipped with the appropriate safety gear and expertise should be able to enter and exit the enclosed area during the cleaning process. The use of road barriers in this context not only enhances safety but also facilitates the efficient management of the decontamination operation by controlling the flow of personnel and equipment in and out of the zone.
3. Biohazard Traces Tracking
Once suitably armed, cleaners will then locate every source and trace of biohazard. Starting from the original, cleaners wouldn’t let go of any little detail that may lead to it from coming back— hence, even the slightest traces of biohazards need to be eliminated even if an entire property is cleaned.
4. Sanitizing
After the thorough clean-up, the area affected must be sanitized using UV light sources.
5. Biohazard Disposal
There is a proper way of disposing of biohazard materials, and it should follow state and local regulations. It is to prevent future outbreaks and further danger brought by carelessness.
It is not advisable to clean the biohazards by yourself, as these may lead to more casualties. It’s best to leave these sensitive and labour-intensive jobs to the professional.
Since biohazard cleaning is complex and labour-intensive, cleaners must be trained to recognize, decontaminate, and adequately handle hazards. If you require assistance from biohazard cleaners, asking for reliable recommendations from your friends, neighbours, colleagues, and acquaintances will be the easiest way, or you can find one on your own.
Still, it’ll require a more careful sifting and comparison of businesses from the market before you can find a suitable one.
Biohazard Cleaning Cost
The average cost of a biohazard cleaning ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. The fee may rise depending on factors like the type of hazard, the estimated affected size of an area that requires cleaning, and the extent of the damage.
Even though there are compensation funds, most of the financial burden is carried by the owner. But paying the cost and availing the assistance is better than further endangering yourself and others by neglecting it or cleaning it on your own.
Conclusion
No one wants to deal with biohazards, as they aren’t only a threat to one’s health but are also costly to clean up. Still, if you did encounter one, it’s best to leave it to the professionals to solve. Whether homeowner or business owner, your health and safety should be your priority.
