Should You Clean Biohazards Yourself?

Should you clean biohazards yourself? This is a common question our clients have. The answer is no, you should not clean biohazards yourself. Biohazards are incredibly dangerous to touch and inhale. If you’re dealing with a biohazard, you need to call a biohazard cleanup company. 

Below, we take a deeper dive into what a biohazard is. If you’re dealing with a situation that requires biohazard cleanup, our team is here to help. Here’s what you need to know about biohazard cleanup. 

What is a Biohazard?

A biohazard refers to a microorganism that poses a significant health risk. These can be things like a virus, or a byproduct of a plant or even an animal. While blood is unsanitary for others to touch, blood by itself isn’t considered a biohazard. Infected blood, on the other hand, is considered to be a biohazard. 

Examples of Biohazards

The list of biohazards is rather long. However, these are the most common examples of biohazards you should be aware of: 

• Human tissue
• Bodily fluids
• Human and animal blood
• Needles and surgical tools
• Viruses
• Culture dishes

In addition to these, biohazards also include scalpels, saliva, animal carcasses, and biopsy materials. These biohazards are extremely dangerous to be around. However, some are more dangerous than others. 

Biohazards are classified into four categories, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4. A Level 1 biohazard is the least hazardous. They include things like Bacillus subtilis and E. coli. While these obviously do cause harm to people, the threat of harm is minimal. 

Level 2 biohazards refer to illnesses that are transmitted from person to person through direct contact. These biohazards include hepatitis B and HIV. The next level of biohazards – Level 3 – includes airborne diseases. Examples of these diseases include tuberculosis. 

Last but not least is Level 4 biohazards. These are the most dangerous types of biohazards, as they pose the highest risk to humans. Diseases at this level, like Ebola, have no known cure. 

All of these biohazards contain some level of danger. As such, they require the help of a biohazard cleanup professional. 

Why Should You Hire a Biohazard Company? 

Earlier, we mentioned that infected blood is considered a biohazard. It’s because of this that hiring a biohazard cleanup crew is necessary. You can’t tell whether blood is infected simply by looking at it. 

So, if you’re in a situation where you’re cleaning blood, you don’t really know what you’re dealing with. It’s this uncertainty that makes cleaning biohazards yourself so dangerous. 

In addition to your safety, you should also hire a company because they have the proper equipment and experience to do so. This includes specialized cleaners to treat blood and bodily fluids. Likewise, they will utilize ozone machines to get rid of the foul odors these biohazards leave behind. Furthermore, your biohazard cleanup crew will properly dispose of these hazardous materials. 

To dispose of biohazards, hazmat bags will typically be used. A hazmat bag is a plastic bag designed to responsibly hold hazardous waste. Sometimes, though, hazmat bags aren’t used. Sometimes, plastic bins will be used instead. These containers are also designed to carry and dispose of hazardous materials. 

By hiring a professional, you can ensure that your items will be disposed of safely. In doing so, you prevent harm to your neighbors and local animals. One of the most important reasons to hire a biohazard cleanup is so you don’t have to do it. 

Often, the need for biohazard cleanup comes after something tragic has happened. In cases like this, the last thing you should do is attempt to clean the area or be around it. The team at PNW Restoration will treat your biohazard cleanup needs with sensitivity. This includes wearing unmarked protective gear and arriving in unmarked vehicles. 

If you need professional biohazard cleanup, the team at PNW Restoration can help. Contact us today. 

Call PNW Restoration in Portland, OR for All Your Biohazard Cleanup Needs 

Do you need professional biohazard cleanup? If so, turn to the team at PNW Restoration. We have years of experience treating biohazards. With us, you can trust that your home will be cared for. 

Far too often, people think that bleach is enough to clean up blood and bodily fluids. However, the truth is that bleach isn’t strong enough. Instead, you need the right cleaners to remove biohazards completely. 

Not only do we have these, but we have the knowledge and experience to treat biohazards correctly. Our team is here to help you every step of the way. Give us a call at 971-247-3470 to set up an appointment. We even offer 24/7 hour services. 

Our biohazard cleanup services are available in Portland, Tigard, Aloha, and West Linn. If you need help dealing with a sensitive issue like this, our biohazard cleanup crew can help.