Many people have heard the term biohazard before, but not everyone knows exactly what it means or relates to. Biohazardous waste is any waste that is contaminated with potentially infectious agents or other materials that are deemed a threat to public health or the environment. There are a few additional terms that may be used when referring to biohazardous waste like medical waste, biomedical waste, and clinical waste. What is most important to note is that while there are many different types of biohazards, they should all be handled with care and in extreme cases by professionals. Here are some of the most common examples of biohazards.
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the cells in a body like nutrients and oxygen. Blood also transports waste products from those same cells. When blood becomes contaminated with blood borne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc., it is a hazardous material. The danger with blood is that you can’t detect these pathogens with the naked eye and therefore any blood that is outside of the body must be handled with extreme care and caution.
Bodily fluids
In addition to blood, there are many other types of bodily fluids that can be contaminated and are examples of biohazards. These include saliva, semen, bile, urine, mucus, vaginal lubrication, and more.
Laboratory items/microbiological waste
Any type of laboratory waste like cultures, petri dishes, and more, that has been potentially contaminated with an infectious disease or poses a health risk can be considered biohazardous waste. This can also include things like needles, scalpels, and other instruments.
Animal waste
Waste coming from any animal that may have been infected with pathogenic organisms can be dangerous. This can range anywhere from stool and fluids to body parts and full animal carcasses.
Pathological waste
Pathological waste refers to any organs, body parts, or tissues that have been removed from an animal or human sometimes due to a crime or accident, more naturally due to medical procedures or autopsies. This waste may contain certain infectious agents and are therefore considered biohazards.
Why should you hire a professional biohazard cleanup company?
Health hazards posed by blood, bacteria, and infectious diseases through biohazards can be serious. More often than not, these pathogens are invisible which makes the disinfection process a very challenging task for anyone who is inexperienced with cleaning biohazardous waste. If your home or place of work has become contaminated (even potentially) by a biohazard, it’s incredibly important that you work with a company that specializes in biohazard cleanup and recovery like Xtreme Cleaners.
Whether it’s a crime scene, homicide, unattended death, or just an accident that has significant blood spill, gaining peace of mind that your space is cleaned effectively and efficiently makes a world of difference. At Xtreme Cleaners, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help, and our team of highly trained technicians are the experts you can trust in Louisiana.