A biohazard refers to biological material that may be dangerous to the health of humans, animals, or the environment. In addition to organic matter, such as feces and blood, biohazards can include items that have come in contact with infectious materials and may cause injury while being handled, such as broken glass. Because of their potential for harm, these materials should only be handled by a professional biohazard cleanup company. Below are some common household biohazards that only a cleanup service should remove.

What Household Biohazards Should Be Handled Professionally?

1. Blood

A biohazard cleanup company should handle any household area or item that has been contaminated with blood. Contact with such items can spread infection, including blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The risk of infection is especially high if a bloodied item comes in contact with the nose or mouth.

2. Human & Animal Waste

Human feces and urine can spread disease just like blood can, which is why biohazard cleanup is essential when dealing with backed-up toilets and clogged sewer lines. Animal waste is also hazardous because it contains harmful bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to urine and feces, wild-animal bedding can also be unsafe and should be handled by professionals.

3. Unattended Death

An unattended death refers specifically to a person’s remains who were not immediately discovered, which means they could have been in the house for weeks or even months. But after the police have covered an investigation and removed the body, there will still be waste and bacteria—and it’s up to the family to clean this up, unfortunately. A biohazard team will use special disinfectants to remove all potential safety and health hazards.  

If you need biohazard cleanup, contact the experts at Rumpke Restoration. This locally owned and operated company provides prompt, reliable service to Greater Cincinnati, OH, including the cities of Loveland, Milford, West Chester, Mason, Amelia, Batavia, Anderson, New Richmond, Northside, Hamilton, Fairfield, Springfield, and Dayton. They also serve Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren counties; Union, Montgomery, and Symmes townships; and the Village of Indian Hill. In addition to biohazard removal, Rumpke Restoration also provides disaster restoration services, including mold remediation, water restoration, odor removal, and more. Visit their website to view their gallery, or call (513) 760-5501 to set up an appointment today.