Although most people associate biohazard dangers with hospitals and crime scenes, they are not confined to these areas only, your home can also present biohazard dangers that you should be aware of. In this short blog, we’ll outline some of the more common dangers, how they arise, and the best course of action for safe cleanup and disposal.
Unseen dangers
Before we delve into the biohazard dangers that can present themselves within the home, it’s important to note that many are not visible to the naked eye. Although you may be able to see evidence of the biohazard itself, it’s the unseen pathogens that can cause illness. These pathogens can only be identified with a microscope, so it’s important to contact a team of specialists if necessary. Let’s look at some things in the home that have the potential to present a biohazard.
Sharps
Syringes, knives, and broken glass or ceramics that are sharp enough to puncture the skin should be treated as a potential biohazard. If said objects have come into contact with anything that could be considered a biohazard and puncture the skin. This could result in an emergency situation since any pathogens can enter the bloodstream directly. Used medical waste, including syringes, can also present a danger, particularly to young children, so care must be taken to ensure that they are disposed of correctly.
Liquid Waste/Bodily Fluids
Bodily fluids from people and animals can present a biohazard if not cleaned up and disposed of properly. Although the risk of contracting a disease from liquid waste within the home is minimal, it is still worth mentioning in the context of this article. But please rest easy, the vast majority of liquid waste biohazard dangers are encountered at crime scenes, serious accidents, and suicides.
Pathological Waste
Pathological waste refers to animal or human organs, tissue, and body parts and should always be dealt with by using a professional biohazard cleanup service. Again, this type of scenario will rarely be encountered in a residential setting and, if it does, it’s commonly an animal carcass.
Solid Waste that can present a biohazard danger
Solid waste can come in many forms but in this context, it refers to any object that has come into contact with a biohazard, including things like containers, gloves, masks, towels, clothing, and any single-use equipment. These items should be treated and disposed of in the same manner as the actual biohazard itself.
Leave it to the professionals
Although not all potential biohazards (such as a cut finger!) need to be a concern for the average householder, it’s still important to be aware of them. If you encounter a potentially serious biohazard danger in the home, don’t attempt to clean it up yourself, play it safe and sensible and call the professionals at Aftercare immediately.
