Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans. This can include medical waste or samples of a microorganism, viruses, or toxins (from a biological source) that can affect human health. Since biohazards can pose a threat to your health and safety if not handled with extreme care, it’s important to be aware of the different types of biohazards. From blood and bodily fluids to animal waste and pathological waste, here are some of the most common types of biohazards.
Human biohazardous waste
Most biohazards found in crime scenes and after accidents come from the human body with blood and bodily fluids being the most common types. Blood is a specialized bodily fluid which can easily become contaminated with blood borne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc. and therefore can be a hazardous material. Since there is no way to spot these contaminations with the naked eye, blood found outside of the body should be handled with extreme care and caution. Bodily fluids like semen, saliva, bile, urine, mucus, and more, can also have contaminants that are impossible to spot with the naked eye and should be handled with the same care.
Microbiological waste
Other types of waste that can pose biological hazards include laboratory items and microbiological waste. These can all be potentially contaminated with an infectious disease and therefore pose a health risk if not handled properly. Different types of laboratory waste to be extra cautious around include cultures, petri dishes, needles, scalpels, and more.
Animal waste
The last major type of biohazard you should be aware of comes from animals. Anything from stool and fluids to body parts and full animal carcasses that come from animals that may have been infected with pathogenic organisms can be incredibly dangerous.
How to best dispose of biohazards
If not handled properly, biohazards can pose a variety of threats from skin irritation and allergies to serious infections and diseases. Since police officers, fire departments, funeral homes, and coroners do not clean up accidents and crime scenes, you may find yourself faced with the scenario of having to clean an area that has been (or may have been) contaminated by biohazards. If you are in need of help, it’s critical that you hire a cleanup company that knows what to do.
Professional biohazard cleanup companies like Xtreme Cleaners have teams of experts that are trained in cleaning, handling, and properly disinfecting contaminated spaces. Our team is trained to return your home to a livable condition swiftly and effectively and we are proud to be available 24/7 to provide families in Louisiana the support they need after a traumatic event. By working thoroughly and quickly to restore your home back to its original or better condition, we are here to help you every step of the way so you can gain peace of mind that you are safe to return. If you or someone you know needs professional help cleaning up a contaminated space, give us a call at (800) 524-9591.