Most people who are faced with having to clean up any type of biohazard find that the events in which biohazards become present happen quickly, without warning, and tend to be traumatic. Since biohazardous waste is defined as any waste that is contaminated with potentially infectious agents or other materials that are deemed a threat to public health or the environment, these need to be handled with extreme care and caution.
While many people focus mainly on the tactical side of cleaning from PPE and careful handling of biohazards to hiring a professionally trained biohazard cleanup company, not everyone thinks about the emotional impact this type of cleanup can have. In reality, the aftermath of a violent crime or accident where biohazards are present can be incredibly difficult to navigate, sometimes even more so than handling the logistics head on.
The overwhelming feeling hits suddenly
According to the FBI, Louisiana has the nation’s highest violent crime rate with 564 violent crimes per 100,000 people (well above the national average of 334 incidents per 100,000 people). Since these crimes can occur anywhere from outdoor parks and public places to inside private residences, it can be difficult to predict when and where the next one will happen. Unless you have been trained specifically in biohazard cleanup, you are likely unprepared for not only what you will see and smell at a crime or death scene, but also the overwhelming feelings that can accompany the experience if you were to ever come across one.
Biohazard cleanup companies employ a team of highly trained technicians who approach every scene with caution and the proper PPE to ensure swift, thorough, and careful cleanup. Since they have experience with these types of settings and aren’t emotionally connected to any victims or the space, the shock factor is much different than someone who is directly connected. Walking into a contaminated space can be quickly overwhelming and the emotional impact of that experience can be long-lasting.
Serious trauma to monitor after exposure
While a sense of dread and overwhelming can be difficult to navigate, it’s the long-lasting trauma that you need to be aware of and on the lookout for. The most common types of serious trauma to monitor include depression and PTSD. Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.
Grief, loss, and stress are some of the top triggers for depression and can all be associated with exposure to a crime scene or traumatic event where someone you know, or love is injured. The good news is that depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders with medication and different types of therapy. Because of this, anyone showing signs of being depressed should seek treatment right away.
PTSD (or posttraumatic stress disorder) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear, or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. Since PTSD side effects can be quite severe and dangerous, anyone showing signs of PTSD should seek treatment from a medical professional right away to get help.
Get help from a professional biohazard cleanup company
Not only can health hazards posed by blood, bacteria, and infectious diseases through biohazards be serious, but the emotional impact of crime scene and biohazard cleanup can be long-lasting and severe. 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 by a team that is trained in giving support and handling situations with care 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.