A biological hazard, also known as a biohazard, is known as waste that can cause harm to people, animals, or infectious plant materials, according to OSHA. Biohazard waste is known to carry infectious diseases and can be incredibly dangerous when you come into contact with it, which is why OSHA has standards in place to protect workers whose job it is to handle any hazardous materials.
While you’ve likely heard of a biohazard, not many people realize just how common they can be. Keep reading to learn some examples of common biohazards so you can stay alert and do your due diligence to ensure you and your family are safe.
Examples of biohazards
- Blood and bodily fluids. Blood, plasma, and any items that may have come into contact with blood and therefore been contaminated, can be dangerous. Other bodily fluids to handle with care include semen, pleural fluid, saliva, and amniotic fluid.
- Feces and animal droppings. Animal waste can contain infected pathogenic organisms and need to be handled with care, especially if the animal is suspected to be sick or likely to carry a disease. Because of the risk of potential biohazards, it is important that you remain careful when handling any sewage.
- Any sharp waste. From needles and scalpels to IV tubes, glass slides, and more, sharp waste can contain biohazards and can be dangerous when not handled with care.
- Mold and fungus. Exposure to mold spores can cause side effects ranging from pesky cold symptoms like runny noses and coughing to more severe effects like difficulty breathing, wheezing, and more.
- Laboratory waste. Microbiological wastes like specimen cultures, culture dishes, and other common items found in laboratories can be contaminated with biohazards. Meth labs are known to pose tremendous risk due to them not being properly handled, cleaned, and secured due to the illegality of production in the US.
What to do if you need to get rid of biological hazards?
The best way to help avoid the presence of biological hazards is to maintain a safe environment by regularly cleaning, preventing and exterminating pests, and properly disposing materials and items that may pose a biological risk, and requiring that anyone that is present must use safety equipment when appropriate. If you find that even when doing your due diligence, you are working, living, or spending significant time in an environment where you find evidence of biohazards present, it’s important to eliminate them as quickly and safely as possible.
Bringing in the experts
The best way to get rid of these hazards is by working with a professional cleaning company that is trained in working with and removing all hazards like Xtreme Cleaners. These biohazards are often found in traumatic environments like crime scenes, meth labs, hoarding, or places where an accidental death or suicide occurred, and they must be handled with care and precision.
Technicians at Xtreme Cleaners are trained to safely dispose of any hazardous material and properly clean spaces in compliance with all state laws and requirements. If you or someone you know in the state of Louisiana needs help cleaning a space that has been or is suspected to have been contaminated with biological hazards, give us a call at 800-524-9591 today.