Why Biohazard Cleanup Is Not the Same as Regular Cleaning
When you think of cleaning, images of scrubbing surfaces, mopping, and vacuuming likely come to mind. Biohazard cleanup is entirely different.
Understanding the differences between regular cleaning and professional biohazard remediation is important in protecting both your health, your property, and the environment. The BioClean Team is here to help. In this article, we’ll explore the differences and when it’s time to contact professional biohazard technicians.
What is Biohazard Cleanup?
Biohazard cleanup, also known as biohazard remediation, is a specialized service designed to remove and dispose of hazardous substances safely. Such hazards include:
- Blood and bodily fluids from trauma, accidents, or unattended deaths.
- Laboratory waste such as discarded specimen cultures, blood, and body fluids in lab containers, as well as culture results.
- Mold, mildew, and infectious contaminants
- Chemical spills.
- Sharps waste, such as medical needles, syringes, and lancets.
- Animal waste, such as carcasses, body parts, and any bedding materials.
Attempting to handle these risks without proper training and specialized equipment can be extremely hazardous.
Differences Between Standard Cleaning and Biohazard Cleanup
While both regular cleaning and biohazard cleanup aim to create safer and healthier environments, they differ significantly in scope and purpose. Let’s take a closer look at some key differences.
Standard cleaning
Standard cleaning is the type of service most people are familiar with. It addresses visible dirt, dust, and everyday messes to keep homes and businesses tidy, but doesn’t go beyond surface-level cleaning.
- Equipment: Standard cleaning supplies (mops, vacuums, sprays)
- Regulations: Minimal compliance requirements
- Disposal: Regular trash
- Risk level: Low
- Training: Basic cleaning techniques
Biohazard cleanup
Biohazard cleanup extends far beyond routine cleaning and involves the removal of hazardous substances that pose a threat to health and safety. Due to the risks involved, it requires advanced training, strict safety protocols, and regulated waste disposal.
- Equipment: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), industrial-grade disinfectants, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration, containment tools
- Regulations: Strict adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state and local biohazard disposal regulations
- Disposal: Regulated medical or biohazard waste disposal
- Risk level: High; exposure to pathogens, chemicals, and biohazards
- Training: Specialized training in handling biohazards, infectious diseases, and hazardous materials
What Is Involved in Biohazard Cleanup?
Biohazard cleanup, also known as biohazard remediation, is a specialized service designed to remove and dispose of hazardous substances safely. It involves the following systematic approach:
Assessment: Professional cleanup teams begin by evaluating the site to determine the full extent of the contamination. They then isolate the affected area for proper cleanup.
Cleanup: Wearing specialized protective gear, cleanup teams thoroughly clean and decontaminate the site using specialized agents to ensure the elimination of all biohazards. They also test to verify that all biohazards have been eliminated and the space meets all safety standards.
Disposal: Professional cleanup teams follow strict protocols and adhere to local regulations to properly dispose of all hazardous materials.
Documentation: Detailed documentation, including before-and-after photographs and test results, is provided.
Why Professional Biohazard Remediation Matters
Cleaning up biohazardous substances yourself is not only stressful but also very dangerous. Without the proper protective equipment, disinfectants, and training, you put yourself and others at risk.
You can unknowingly expose yourself to bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, bacteria that cause serious infections, or toxic chemical residues left behind after a spill. Without proper cleanup, you also risk spreading the contaminants to other parts of the home or business. When harmful bacteria or viruses linger, they pose long-term health risks to anyone who enters the space.
Aside from the serious health risks, there are also legal and liability concerns to consider. Biohazard cleanup is heavily regulated, and improper cleanup can result in fines and even criminal charges.
When Should You Call a Biohazard Cleanup Crew?
Not every cleanup requires the expertise of a professional remediation crew, but given the hazards, it is important to recognize those situations that do. Situations that require the expertise of a specially trained cleanup crew include:
- Crime and trauma scenes
- Unattended death
- Smoke damage cleanup
- Hoarding or unsanitary living conditions
- Infectious diseases and outbreaks
- Illegal drugs and chemical spills
- Sewage cleanup or significant water damage
- Mold infestation
Even what may seem like minor contamination can be a health hazard. Airborne particles, invisible pathogens, or chemical residues can linger longer after an unprofessional cleanup.
If you need biohazard cleanup services, do not attempt to clean up the area yourself. It’s time to call in a professional, and The BioClean Team is ready to help. We have the training, certification, and specialized equipment necessary to handle cleanup tasks with compassion, safety, and effectiveness. Contact us today.
