Important Information About Biohazard and Crime Scene Cleanup

Crime scene and biohazard cleanup are difficult tasks that require the attention and skill of a certified restoration specialist. This is demanding and difficult work that just no one should take on. Cleaning up after these types of situations usually requires working long, unusual hours. Professionalism, compassion, and careful attention to detail are necessary to restore these potentially horrific and dangerous scenes. You’ll be familiar with difficult cleanups, and this article will help you understand the biohazard cleaning process.

Biohazard Cleaning Facts

A biohazard is any biological material that risks human or animal health and should not be underestimated. The following are some biohazard and crime scene cleaning facts:

1. Biohazard waste needs proper disposal

Human blood and bodily fluids can cause infections even after spilling on environmental surfaces for several weeks. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been known to live for more than two weeks. Hepatitis C virus infection can be contagious for up to two weeks.

Federal, state, and local laws require that a licensed biohazard waste hauler disposes of all biohazard materials because of the belief that blood pathogens can seriously harm public health and the environment.

2. Minor bloodstains are dangerous

All blood, no matter how insignificant, should be handled with caution. Even the tiniest droplets of blood can carry pathogens that cause infection. Spilled blood on the carpet is likely to soak into the floorboards beneath, increasing the risk of disease spread; blood can also become airborne and contaminate the environment. Blood odors can linger and create an unsanitary environment.

Take precautions no matter how well you know the person whose blood was spilled. You may unknowingly be harboring harmful bacteria in your blood. Avoid all contact with any blood spills at all costs.

3. Police don’t clean crime scenes

Police officers and investigators will not perform cleanup services at a crime scene. Only trained crime scene specialists can remove harmful biological waste and blood-borne pathogens from the scene. Professional cleanup crews arrive only after law enforcement has gathered enough evidence of the crime to avoid disturbing any evidence at the scene. You can search online or visit their website if you need professional assistance.

4. Professional teams disinfect more than crime scenes

Biohazard cleanup teams like PuroClean are equipped to handle the bloody chaos and typically clean up crime scenes such as homicides and cases of severe bodily injuries. However, the majority of their work consists of suicides and unattended deaths.

5. Blood-borne pathogens harm humans

As previously stated, it is estimated that 1 in every 24 people has hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV at any given time. When a person with this type of infection dies, the pathogens for these diseases live on. Direct contact, accidental mishaps due to biological fragments, inhalation, and even blood or bodily fluid splashes that can enter one’s eyes, mouth, and nose can all result in exposure to these blood-borne pathogens.

Bottom Line

Nobody wants to deal with a biohazard cleaning situation. Still, if that day comes, it’s always best to delegate the task to the experts. Professional forensic cleaning services are familiar with handling biohazards and ensure that all dangerous materials are removed and properly disposed of in a licensed facility.

Deep cleaning once or twice a year will help identify potential problem areas before they require professional intervention. When it’s time to deep clean your home or place of business, give the professionals a call and let them handle all your cleaning needs immediately.