Biohazards are substances or materials harmful to people’s health, mainly because they can transfer disease. Many homeowners don’t realize that these toxic wastes, including radioactive or infected blood-borne pathogens (hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS), are present in their houses.
Home biohazards require special cleaning and disposal methods and, in severe cases, professional virus decontamination and protection services. While some biohazards are easily visible, others, like blood-borne pathogens, require laboratory testing to be detected.
Common Biohazards in the Home
1. Animal Waste, Like Feces and Vomit
Pick up animal waste with gloves or a plastic bag, seal the excrement in another plastic bag, and throw it in your garbage can. Always remember to wash your hands after disposing of the waste.
2. Feces and Vomit of Any Kind
Clean feces and vomit with disinfectant wipes after a sick person uses the bathroom or handles food. Wash your hands afterward.
3. Dirty Diapers
Handle humans and pets diapers carefully because they are biohazards that can carry disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens) like hepatitis A virus (HAV), rotavirus, shigella, norovirus, toxoplasmosis, and E. coli. Secure the diaper in a plastic bag before throwing it out. Wash your hands after disposing of them.
4. Dirty Razor Blades
These can carry various microorganisms, including “Staphylococcus aureus,” salmonella, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and “Escherichia coli.” Always dispose of them in a puncture-resistant container such as an empty bleach bottle.
5. Molds
If you discover mold growing in your home, eliminate it carefully before using any cleansers or disinfectants to clean surfaces. Use protective gloves (such as rubber ones) and a face mask, then throw them away after.
For serious infestations, spraying bleach on moldy surfaces is not enough. Plus, it causes damage to your home’s structure if not properly cleaned. Contact a reliable company offering mold and odor removal for a total cleanup and avoid further damage to your home.
6. Insect or Rodent Droppings
These are common in homes with pets or wild animals nearby. If you find mouse poop in your home, do not panic. Wear disposable rubber gloves to collect the droppings with paper towels carefully. Place them in a plastic bag before throwing them away into an outdoor garbage receptacle. Wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant spray.
7. Cat Litter
Cat litter should always be disposed of daily to prevent odor and excess moisture. The moist environment created by cat litter is an ideal breeding ground for pathogens, such as “Salmonella” and “E. coli.” To avoid illness caused by pathogens, wear protective gloves when changing the litter box and wash your hands afterward.
8. Blood or Body Fluids
These biohazard wastes may contain pathogens. All blood is considered biohazardous, but it is imperative to watch out for blood-borne diseases. These could be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), spreading through contact with infected bodily fluids.
Know how to handle a spill involving these materials immediately. Use personal protective equipment, dispose of the material following local regulations, and sterilize any surfaces or objects that have been contaminated.
9. Dead Animals Found in the House
Dead animals you can find in your home may be infected with anthrax or rabies, so avoid handling them yourself. Contact your local animal control department to get rid of the animal and dispose of it.
10. Dirty Dishes
Dirty dishes used for raw meat, eggs, or poultry may contain “Salmonella” organisms causing severe illness if ingested. Wash these items carefully before reusing them and handle them with disposable rubber gloves.
11. Dirty Laundry Used by a Sick Individual
Dirty laundry used by a sick person can spread viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, and influenza A virus (IAV) if not handled properly before washing. After a person becomes ill with a respiratory illness, wait until fever-free for at least 24 hours without medications to launder their clothes. While waiting, place all soiled laundry in a plastic bag and put it in an outdoor garbage receptacle away from people.
Hiring Professionals for Biohazard Cleanup
While you can manage some non-infectious biohazards at home by following the steps above, it’s always best to call a reputable home restoration company for help. These professionals know how to avoid touching anything with bare hands. Remember that many “safe” places where you put your fingers are hazardous after biohazard contamination.
For instance, blood-borne pathogens are infectious and can easily contract through unprotected contact. Experts use effective biohazard containment methods to contain the contamination away from non-infected areas. This ensures that any dirt will not be brought outside of the affected area, decreasing your family’s risk of exposure to contaminants.
Be sure to deal with experts in your area to handle biohazards in your home. You can ask for recommendations from the people you trust who have used these services before. You may also go online and look for “restoration companies near me” to limit your search. Keep in mind that it’s always best to hire professionals close to your location because biohazard cleanup needs immediate attention.